Introduction
When everything goes wrong, you wonder whether God is really good. When everything goes well, you sometimes forget to thank him. From beginning to end, the Bible affirms that his goodness is real, constant and visible in small things as well as in salvation. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, follow five steps: a good God, a goodness that goes with you, revealed in Jesus Christ, present in everyday life, and then a goodness that satisfies. Read one and note a proof of his goodness in your day.
A Good God, Simply
1. Psalm 34:8
"Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."
David invites us to taste and see that the Lord is good. God's goodness is discovered by experiencing it, not only by studying it. Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him: trust lets you taste what theory only half says. Read all of Psalm 34.
2. Psalm 100:5
"For Yahweh is good. His loving kindness endures forever, his faithfulness to all generations."
The psalm of thanksgiving ends with three affirmations: the Lord is good, his loving kindness endures forever, his faithfulness reaches to all generations. What God is does not depend on your circumstances. You can say it on good days and on bad ones. Read all of Psalm 100.
3. Psalm 136:1
"Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever."
This liturgical psalm repeats twenty-six times that God's loving kindness endures forever. From the very first verse, we praise the Lord because he is good. Praise begins with a simple statement, which you can say again aloud, even when your heart is heavy. Read all of Psalm 136.
4. Nahum 1:7
"Yahweh is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him."
The prophet Nahum reminds us that the Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and that he knows those who take refuge in him. God's goodness is not only gentle: it protects. In distress, you can turn to him. Read all of Nahum 1.
A Goodness That Goes with You
5. Psalm 23:6
"Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever."
David ends his shepherd psalm by saying that goodness and loving kindness will follow him all the days of his life. He does not deny the dark valley he spoke of earlier, but affirms that God's goodness follows him there. Even when it is out of your sight, it does not leave you. Read all of Psalm 23.
6. Psalm 25:8
"Good and upright is Yahweh, therefore he will instruct sinners in the way."
The psalmist says that the Lord is good and upright, therefore he will instruct sinners in the way. His goodness does not stay passive: it teaches and guides. If you feel lost, this verse assures you that God loves to set back on the path those who have wandered. Read all of Psalm 25.
7. Psalm 31:19
"Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have worked for those who take refuge in you, before the sons of men!"
David exclaims how great God's goodness is, laid up for those who fear him and worked for those who take refuge in him. The picture of a treasure kept for us invites patience. What God is preparing sometimes goes beyond what we see today. Read all of Psalm 31.
8. Psalm 145:9
"Yahweh is good to all. His tender mercies are over all his works."
The psalmist proclaims that the Lord is good to all and that his tender mercies are over all his works. His goodness is not limited to believers: it reaches all creation. It shows in the morning light, the rain, food and friendships. Read all of Psalm 145.
Revealed in Jesus Christ
9. Titus 3:4-5
"But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,"
Paul writes that the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared. He saved us, not by works, but according to his mercy. The greatest proof of his goodness is the cross, offered freely to whoever receives it. Read all of Titus 3.
10. Romans 2:4
"Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?"
Paul asks whether we despise the riches of God's goodness, forbearance and patience, without seeing that his goodness leads us to repentance. God's goodness is not an excuse to go on as before: it invites you to come back to him with confidence. Read all of Romans 2.
11. Ephesians 2:7
"that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus;"
Paul explains that God did this so that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. God's goodness is not an episode: it is meant to be admired forever. Your life is an example of it. Read all of Ephesians 2.
12. Romans 8:32
"He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?"
Paul reasons: he who did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? If God gave the greatest gift, he will not hold back what you truly need. His goodness has already been proven. Read all of Romans 8.
A Goodness Present in Everyday Life
13. James 1:17
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow."
James affirms that every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. A shared meal, a friendship, a healing, a quiet morning are gifts. Noting them can help you regain a taste for gratitude. Read all of James 1.
14. Matthew 7:11
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"
Jesus compares God to a human father: if imperfect parents give good gifts to their children, how much more will the heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. This picture invites you to pray with confidence rather than with fear. Read all of Matthew 7.
15. Psalm 103:2-4
"Praise Yahweh, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits, who forgives all your sins, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,"
David urges himself to bless the Lord and not to forget any of his benefits: forgiveness, healing, redemption, the crown of loving kindness and tender mercies. Making a list of what God has done for you is a good antidote against forgetting and discouragement. Read all of Psalm 103.
16. Psalm 84:11
"For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield. Yahweh will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly."
The psalmist says that the Lord God is a sun and a shield, who gives grace and glory and withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly. God lights the way and protects. He also knows what is good, even when his answer differs from what you expected. Read all of Psalm 84.
A Goodness That Satisfies
17. Psalm 107:8-9
"Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds to the children of men! For he satisfies the longing soul. He fills the hungry soul with good."
The psalmist invites us to praise the Lord for his goodness and his wonderful works, because he satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with good. When the soul thirsts for meaning or love, God's goodness is a concrete answer. Tell him what you lack, he listens. Read all of Psalm 107.
18. Exodus 33:19
"He said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim Yahweh’s name before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy."
Moses asks to see God's glory. God answers that he will make all his goodness pass before him and will proclaim his name. For God, his glory and his goodness go together. By seeking to know him better, we gradually discover his good face. Read all of Exodus 33.
19. Psalm 63:3
"Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you."
David, in the wilderness, declares that God's loving kindness is better than life. He says this without comfort, far from the temple. This verse shows that God's goodness can be a greater joy than security or success, even in a time of trial. Read all of Psalm 63.
20. Psalm 145:7
"They will utter the memory of your great goodness, and will sing of your righteousness."
The psalmist hopes that people will utter the memory of God's great goodness and sing of his righteousness. Telling what God has done is an act of praise. At the next opportunity, share with a friend an experience of God's goodness in your life. Read all of Psalm 145.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about the goodness of God?
The Bible affirms that God is good (Psalm 100:5), that his goodness lasts forever and that it extends to all his creatures (Psalm 145:9). It reaches its peak in Jesus Christ, through whom God saves freely (Titus 3:4-5).
Is God good even in trials?
The psalms show that believers can doubt, weep and yet keep saying that God is good. Nahum 1:7 describes him as a stronghold in the day of trouble. His goodness does not remove the trial, but it goes with you through it.
How can I thank God for his goodness?
Note three blessings each day, big or small, and thank him aloud. Read a psalm of thanksgiving, such as Psalm 103 or Psalm 136, and share a testimony with someone close. Gratitude is cultivated through repetition.