As Christians who love God, we know that memorizing His Word is incredibly valuable. Unfortunately, with over 31,000 verses in the Bible, it’s sometimes hard to know where to start.
In this article, I’m going to share 52 short Bible verses that you can memorize over the next year, categorized by topic. Ideally, you could set a goal to memorize one verse per week and finish in a year.
Wouldn’t it be amazing to look back next year and see how much of God’s Word you’ve internalized?
We’ve also made available a free PDF version of this same material as a checklist to download, print and keep with you if you prefer. Finally, at the very bottom, I’d like to offer some tips and ideas for how to memorize the Bible faster and easier (there are multiple methods!).
Let’s get started!
Faith Foundations
These are the Scripture verses that represent the foundations of the Christian faith based on Jesus Christ. I recommend you start with these as a great way to articulate what you believe.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 | The Inerrancy of Scripture
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
John 3:16-17 | The Gospel in a Nutshell
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17 NIV
Proverbs 3:5-6 | The Christian Posture
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Galatians 2:20 | Crucified with Christ Jesus!
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 NIV
John 14:6 | Jesus Christ as the Only Way
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 NIV
Bible Verses about the Salvation Message
When it comes to verses about salvation and sharing your faith, people often think about the “Romans Road,” which is a collection of verses in the book of Romans. While these are great verses, we’re going to include more than those verses in this list.
Each verse reminds us of just how much God loves us!
Romans 3:23 | All Have Sinned
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23 | The Wages of Sin
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
Isaiah 53:5 | By His Wounds
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
Romans 5:8 | True Love
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
Colossians 2:13-14 | Nailed to the Cross
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13-14
Romans 10:9-10 | To be Saved
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10
1 John 1:9 | Confess Your Sins
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
2 Corinthians 5:17 | A New Creation!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17
Verses about Trials and Suffering
Following our Lord Jesus Christ has never been an easy road. In fact, God’s Word is very clear that those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12).
Don’t be discouraged! Memorize these verses to help you persevere through the trials and suffering with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 1:29 | Suffering is a Gift
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,
Philippians 1:29
Proverbs 18:10 | The Lord Jesus is a Strong Tower
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10
1 Peter 1:6-7 | Proof of Your Faith
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1 Peter 1:6-7
James 1:2-3 | Consider it Joy!
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3
Romans 8:31 | Who Can be Against Us?
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31
Bible Verses about Fear
Facing these trials in life doesn’t mean that we never fear. Fear is a natural response as humans, but our reaction to that fear is what makes followers of Jesus Christ different, and God prepared us to face these fears with His help.
Each verse reminds us to trust in the face of fear.
Psalm 56:3 | Fear and Trust
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Psalm 56:3
2 Timothy 1:7 | No Spirit of Fear
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
Philippians 4:6-7 | Do Not be Anxious
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Psalm 46:10-11 | Be Still and Know
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46:10-11
Verses about God’s Word
Since we’ve already covered the integrity of Scripture from 2 Timothy 3:16 in the foundations section above, now let’s focus on the beauty and power of the word of God.
What is it that makes the Word of God so powerful in our lives? These are beautiful verses that the Holy Spirit can use throughout your day to encourage and strengthen your faith.
Isaiah 55:8-9 | Higher Ways
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9
Hebrews 4:12 | Sharper than a Sword
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Psalm 1:1-3 | Be a Tree
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3
John 1:14 | The Word is God!
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
Verses about Faith
What does it even mean when we say that we have “faith” in Jesus? Thankfully, Scripture gives us a definition for this. It also gives us direction on how to build our faith in Jesus Christ.
Thankfully, God loves us and knows our limits. That’s why even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains! Each verses reminds us of this truth.
Hebrews 11:1 | Definition of Faith
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 11:6 | Pleasing God
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
Romans 10:17 | Faith Comes by Hearing
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Romans 10:17
Ephesians 2:8-9 | Saved by Grace through Faith
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
John 20:29 | Believe without Seeing
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:29
Verses about Mercy & Forgiveness
As we know from Romans 3, all of us fall short and are guilty of sin. There is nobody who is righteous – not even one! But God’s mercy is shown in that He does not give us what we deserve.
Here are a few short Bible verses that demonstrate this best.
Psalm 139:23-24 | Search My Heart
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
Lamentations 3:22-23 | New Mercies every Morning
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Psalm 103:8-10 | What our Sins Deserve
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
Psalm 103:8-10
Titus 3:5 | Because of His Mercy!
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Titus 3:5
Bible Verses about Praising God
Our response to this kind of mercy should be nothing short of life-changing gratitude to our Lord Jesus Christ! There is so much value from memorizing these simple, short Bible verses that teach us how to praise God.
Each verse reminds us of the glory of God who deserves all our praise.
Psalm 103:1-2 | Glorify God!
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
Psalm 103:1-2
Psalm 118:24 | This is the Day
The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.
Psalm 118:24
Psalm 100 | The Whole Psalm!
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his[a]; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 | Rejoice Always
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Bible Verses about Worship
Worship is more than simply singing “worship songs” on a Sunday morning! It is a life lived in full devotion to God through the direction of the Holy Spirit.
The following verse reminds us what it means to worship and glorify God. Let’s praise the Lord – let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Colossians 3:17 | Living a Life of Thanks
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17
Psalm 63:1 | Thirst for God
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1
John 4:24 | Spirit and Truth
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
John 4:24
Romans 12:1-2 | Living Sacrifice
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2
Revelation 4:11 | God is Worthy
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Revelation 4:11
Bible Verses about Life in Christ
The world will know that we are Christians by the way we live our life: by loving each other and loving our neighbor. This is what we call the “Christian life”.
These are a few verses that show us what it means to model our life after Christ Jesus in order to pursue this Christian life. We cannot be a righteous person on our own, but with the help of the Holy Spirit God gave…
Isaiah 40:31 | Wings Like Eagles
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Galatians 5:22-23 | Fruit of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Joshua 1:8-9 | Be Strong & Courageous
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:8-9
1 Chronicles 16:34 | Give Thanks
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34
Bible Verses about the Coming Messiah
It’s not just about Christmas, although that’s an important celebration. We believe that Jesus Christ came as a baby to this earth, but we also believe that He will come again!
Each verse reminds us not only that God gave us His own son, but that our heavenly Father will come again so that we will be with the Lord forever!
Isaiah 9:6 | Prince of Peace
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Galatians 4:4-5 | Adoption to Sonship
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
Galatians 4:4-5
Luke 1:30-33 | Kingdom Will Never End
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 1:30-33
John 16:33 | Take Heart!
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Free PDF: 52 Memory Verses Checklist
Did you know that you can download a PDF version of these 52 memory verses for this year? Follow along each week and check the verses off your list.
We also have a number of great resources on how to get started memorize the Bible that includes not just this website, but also a Bible memory YouTube channel and even a podcast!
How to Memorize Verses of the Bible Faster & Easier
Whether you’re new to Scripture memory or you’ve been doing it for decades, there are various methods and techniques for memorizing that most of us don’t take advantage of.
If you’re still memorizing by repeating a verse 100 times until you’re sick of hearing it, I’ve got good news…there’s are better ways!
Part of the reason Bible Memory Goal exists is to explore these different techniques and share what works. We have an entire getting started page, but these are a few ideas to consider as you memorize these short Bible verses this year:
First-Letter Bible Memory Method
Writing down the verses you want to memorize, whether that’s in a journal or on a 3×5 card, is a popular way to review what you’ve memorized. The problem is that when you give your brain all of the information, it doesn’t have to work very hard to review and thus it takes longer to move a verse to long term memory.
Enter the “first letter method”.
With the first letter method for Bible memory, you write only the first letter of each word in your journal or on that notecard. Then, when you look at it, your brain still has to remember the word, but it’s given a short prompt to make sure you’re saying all of the words in the verse.
Try it out! I promise you’ll love this method.
Sing “Spiritual Songs” of Scripture!
If you’ve never tried memorizing Bible verses through song, you’re missing out on one of the easiest ways to create a lasting memory. There’s a reason that you can still remember the lyrics to songs that you listened to back when you were a kid. The power of a melody is strong!
Thankfully, now that we have YouTube, it is incredibly easy to search for verse songs using the exact translation of the Bible you want to memorize.
Put the song on repeat as you drive, do household chores or just take a walk with your dog. Before you even know it, your brain will know the words to the verse and if there’s anybody else in the car with you as you listen (i.e. your kids!), chances are they’ll “accidentally” memorize it as well 🙂
Now, when the Holy Spirit reminds you of these verses, it might sound like singing. Ha!
Record, Repeat & Recite
One of the best apps on your phone is the Voice Memo app. All it takes is a minute in the morning to record the verse that you want to memorize on the app. Then play that verse on repeat throughout the day!
As you accumulate more and more verses, you can record these in as a single file that you can listen to for multiple passages of Scripture.
Simple Hack
There are some apps for musicians that allow you to loop these recordings to listen to over and over (since the voice memo app doesn’t do this). Search for the “Looper” app in the app store and give it a try.
Spaced Repetition (w/ Mobile Apps)
The foundation of good Bible memory is an effective review strategy. And brain science has shown that the best way to do this is through spaced repetition.
While it’s possible to create your own spaced repetition strategy with a notebook, my favorite method to do this is with technology. The Bible memory app allows you to input each of your verses, use the first letter method to review, and then automatically applies spaced repetition to let you know when you need to review the verse again.
Get 20% off the Bible Memory app with promo code MEMORYGOAL
Find Accountability!
Memorizing on your own works well for a short while, but it can easily become laborious and hard. This is why accountability can be one of the best ways to maintain your passion for God’s Word.
If you have a friend or family member who also enjoys memorizing the Bible, this is ideal. You can schedule time each week or month to get together and recite what you’ve memorized.
If you don’t have this, you can also join our free Bible memory community where people all over the world encourage and inspire each other to maintain the daily discipline of memorization.
Other Bible Memory Resources
This is just the tip of the iceberg! We have so many other great Bible memory resources on this website and on the YouTube channel.
Here are some of the common questions that we’ve answered on this site:
- How Long Does it Take to Memorize a Book of the Bible?
- 6 FREE Bible Memory Tools You can Use
- 4 Types of Bible Memory that you can try
- Which translation of the Bible should you memorize?
- Should I memorize verses or entire chapters/books of the Bible?
