In the Bible, the heart is more than the seat of emotions: It is the center of a person, where they think, will, and decide. Here you will find 24 Bible verses about the heart – about a heart that God sees, that he renews, and that one should guard.
God sees the heart
Verses about how God looks deeper.
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Man sees what is before his eyes; but the LORD looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7bBeautySelf-worth
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Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.
Psalm 139:23Thinking
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For the heart is stubborn and deceitful; who can understand it? I, the LORD, can understand the heart and test the mind, and give each person according to their deeds, according to the fruit of their works.
Jeremiah 17:9-10
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Everyone thinks their way is right; but the LORD weighs the hearts.
Proverbs 21:2
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Everyone thinks their ways are pure; but the LORD weighs the spirits.
Proverbs 16:2
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Would God not find this out? For he knows the depths of our hearts.
Psalm 44:22
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For the word of God is alive and powerful, and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to divide soul and spirit, joint and bone, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12ThinkingGod's Word
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And you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father and serve him with all your heart and with a willing spirit. For the LORD searches all hearts and understands the thoughts of every mind. If you seek him, you will find him; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
1 Chronicles 28:9
A new heart
God promises to renew hearts.
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Create in me, God, a pure heart and give me a new, steadfast spirit.
Psalm 51:12Confirmation versesMen
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And I will give you a new heart and a new spirit, and I will remove from your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26RebirthConfirmation verses
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The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, and helps those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:19HeartbreakLoneliness
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He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3HeartbreakHealing
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Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8HappinessBeatitudes
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Even if my body and soul perish, you are, God, always the comfort of my heart and my portion.
Psalm 73:26HeartbreakExhaustion
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Delight yourself in the LORD; he will give you the desires of your heart.
Guard your heart
Where the heart is set, there goes life.
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Guard your heart with all diligence; for from it flow the springs of life.
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For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21
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A good person brings good things from the good treasure of their heart; and an evil person brings evil things from the evil treasure of their heart. For whatever fills the heart, out of it the mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45Words
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Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not trust in your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5Understanding
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Show me, LORD, your way, that I may walk in your truth; keep my heart pure, that I may fear your name.
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And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you are also called in one body; and be thankful!
Colossians 3:15ThankfulnessDecisions
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And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!
Philippians 4:7PeaceUnderstanding
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A joyful heart makes life pleasant; but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
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Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, LORD, my refuge and my redeemer.
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
Related Topics
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What does the Bible mean by the heart?
For the people of the Bible, the heart (Hebrew lev) was not only the seat of emotions, but also of the mind and will. It is in the heart that we think, plan, and decide. When God "looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7), it means that he sees not only what someone does, but why. That is why the heart is also the place where faith begins: "For whoever believes in their heart is justified" (Romans 10:10).
A pure and a new heart
After his adultery with Bathsheba, David prays one of the most moving psalms: "Create in me, God, a pure heart and give me a new, steadfast spirit" (Psalm 51:12). The prophet Ezekiel promises that God will remove the "heart of stone" and give a "heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26) – a heart that can feel again. And Psalm 34:19 comforts: "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted." Those who are currently experiencing heartbreak will find verses about Bible verses for heartbreak; about inner life in general under Bible verses about the soul and Bible verses about thoughts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does it say, "Guard your heart with all diligence"?
In Proverbs 4:23: "Guard your heart with all diligence; for from it flow the springs of life."
What does "but the LORD looks at the heart" mean?
The verse from 1 Samuel 16:7 says that God does not judge by outward appearance, but by a person's inner attitude.
