When your own reserves run dry, these passages point to a strength that comes from God and shows itself most clearly in weakness.
The Bible teaches that real strength comes from God, especially when human strength runs out. Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me," and 2 Corinthians 12:9 records God's words, "my strength is made perfect in weakness." Other classic KJV verses include Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 41:10 and Psalm 46:1.
Read the context of Paul's words in Philippians 4:13 explained, or pray them with a prayer for strength. The Bible verses about courage pair naturally with these.
Songs and prayers that name God as strength.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
A psalm of David that begins as a cry for help and ends in thanksgiving.
Strength and protection come from the LORD, and trusting him turns into rejoicing and song.
The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Moses and the Israelites sing after crossing the Red Sea.
Israel's first recorded song celebrates God as strength, song and salvation after deliverance.
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
According to its title, David sang this when the LORD delivered him from his enemies and from Saul.
A string of images, rock, fortress, deliverer, describes God as a secure refuge and strength.
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
A song of praise in Isaiah looking ahead to the day of salvation.
Trust replaces fear because God himself is strength, song and salvation.
The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
The prophet closes his prayer after resolving to rejoice in God even if crops and flocks fail.
In scarcity, God gives sure footing, like a deer on the high places.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
A psalm of the sons of Korah, sung while nations rage and the earth shakes.
God is a present help, not a distant one, in the middle of trouble.
God's strength meets people at the end of their own.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Paul tells how he prayed three times for a thorn in the flesh to be taken away.
God's answer was grace rather than removal; his strength shows itself most clearly in human weakness.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Paul continues reflecting on the same thorn and on his hardships.
Paul embraces the paradox that dependence on Christ makes him strong when he is weak.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Isaiah brings words of comfort to a weary people.
God gives power to the faint, specifically those who have no strength left.
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
The close of the same chapter of comfort in Isaiah.
Those who wait on the LORD renew their strength, rising, running and walking without fainting.
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Asaph, a temple musician, reflects after a crisis of faith.
When flesh and heart fail, God remains the strength of the heart.
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
Part of the long psalm devoted to the beauty of God's word.
The psalmist asks to be strengthened according to God's word when sorrow melts the soul.
In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
A psalm of David giving thanks for answered prayer.
On the very day he cried out, God answered and strengthened his soul.
Promises for a task, a trial or a long road.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Paul writes from prison about learning contentment in plenty and in need.
Christ's strength enables Paul to face every circumstance; the verse is about contentment as much as achievement.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
God speaks through Isaiah to Israel, his chosen servant.
God promises to strengthen, help and uphold his people with his own hand.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Paul introduces his description of the armor of God.
Strength for spiritual struggle comes from the Lord's might, not one's own.
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
The people of Jerusalem weep as Ezra reads the law, and they are told to celebrate the holy day instead.
Joy in the LORD is itself a source of strength for God's people.
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
The word of the LORD to Zerubbabel, the governor leading the rebuilding of the temple.
The work would succeed by God's Spirit, not by human might or power.
New Testament prayers for inner strength.
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Paul prays for the believers in Ephesus.
Paul asks that they be strengthened in the inner man by God's Spirit.
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Paul prays for the believers in Colossae.
God's strength is described as producing patience and longsuffering with joy, endurance more than spectacle.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Peter closes his letter to suffering believers.
After suffering, the God of all grace promises to establish, strengthen and settle his people.
For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
The LORD rebukes Judah for seeking help from Egypt instead of trusting him.
Strength is found in quietness and confidence before God rather than in anxious striving.
The Bible teaches that lasting strength comes from God. Psalm 28:7 says "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped." Scripture often shows that strength by meeting people in weakness rather than in their own power.
Philippians 4:13 is the best known, and Isaiah 40:31 is a close second: "they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles." Isaiah 41:10 and Psalm 46:1 are also among the most loved verses on strength.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 God tells Paul "my strength is made perfect in weakness," and Paul concludes, "for when I am weak, then am I strong." Isaiah 40:29 adds, "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength."
Psalm 46:1 says "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 18:2 calls God "my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer," and Psalm 73:26 says "God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."
In context, Paul has just said he learned to be content whether hungry or full (Philippians 4:11-12). So in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" is mainly about enduring every circumstance with Christ's help, rather than a promise of success in any goal a person chooses.
In Nehemiah 8:10 the people of Jerusalem were weeping as they heard God's law read. They were told not to grieve that holy day, "for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Gladness in God himself is presented as something that sustains and strengthens his people.