Scriptures About Sleep: Resting in God’s Peace

“In the stillness of sleep, we find rest in God’s peace, trusting Him to renew our strength and guide our hearts.”

Sleep is a vital part of our daily lives, providing physical rest and rejuvenation. Biblically, it is also seen as a time to trust in God’s peace and care. The Scriptures offer profound insights into how sleep can be a reflection of our faith and dependence on God.

In this article, we will explore 45 scriptures that speak about sleep and how it intertwines with God’s promises of peace and rest.

Scriptures About Sleep

1. Psalm 4:8

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

2. Proverbs 3:24

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”

3. Psalm 127:2

“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

4. Matthew 8:24

“Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.”

5. Mark 4:38

“Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’”

6. Ecclesiastes 5:12

“The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.”

7. 1 Kings 19:5

“Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’”

8. Psalm 3:5

“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.”

9. Jeremiah 31:26

“At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been pleasant to me.”

10. Luke 8:23

“As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.”

11. Psalm 16:7

“I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.”

12. Isaiah 29:10

“The Lord has brought over you a deep sleep: He has sealed your eyes (the prophets); he has covered your heads (the seers).”

13. Job 33:15

“In dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds,”

14. Proverbs 19:15

“Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.”

15. Proverbs 20:13

“Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.”

16. Psalm 121:4

“Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”

17. Daniel 2:19

“During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven.”

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18. Luke 22:45

“When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.”

19. Zechariah 4:1

“Then the angel who talked with me returned and wakened me, as a man is wakened from his sleep.”

20. Song of Songs 5:2

“I slept but my heart was awake. Listen! My beloved is knocking: ‘Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one.’”

21. Psalm 119:55

“In the night, Lord, I remember your name, that I may keep your law.”

22. Proverbs 27:14

“If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.”

23. Job 14:12

“So man lies down and does not rise; till the heavens are no more, people will not awake or be roused from their sleep.”

24. Isaiah 57:2

“Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”

25. Psalm 35:20

“They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.”

26. Proverbs 4:6

“Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.”

27. Matthew 26:43

“When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.”

28. 1 Thessalonians 5:6

“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”

29. Psalm 13:3

“Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death.”

30. 1 Samuel 26:12

“So David took the spear and the water jug near Saul’s head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the Lord had put them into a deep sleep.”

31. Psalm 17:15

“I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.”

32. Luke 9:32

“Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.”

33. Proverbs 6:10

“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—”

34. Job 33:17

“To turn them from wrongdoing and keep them from pride,”

35. Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”

36. Psalm 68:5

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”

37. Psalm 46:10

“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’”

38. Isaiah 32:18

“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.”

39. Proverbs 8:34

“Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.”

40. 2 Samuel 22:34

“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.”

41. Psalm 3:5

“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.”

42. Job 11:18

“You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.”

43. Psalm 121:3

“He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;”

44. 1 Kings 19:6

“He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.”

45. Psalm 63:6

“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.”

Answers to Key Questions

How does sleep reflect our trust in God?

Sleep reflects our trust in God by demonstrating our reliance on Him for rest and safety, acknowledging that He is in control even when we are unconscious.

What does the Bible say about sleep being a gift from God?

The Bible views sleep as a gift from God, a time for physical and spiritual renewal, as mentioned in Psalm 127:2, where God grants sleep to those He loves.

How can we ensure our sleep is restful according to Scripture?

To ensure restful sleep, Scripture encourages us to trust in God’s protection, seek His guidance, and live in obedience to His Word, as reflected in Proverbs 3:24.

What does it mean when the Bible talks about God’s peace during sleep?

God’s peace during sleep means experiencing a deep sense of security and trust in His care, allowing us to rest peacefully despite life’s challenges.

How can we use sleep as a time for spiritual reflection?

We can use sleep as a time for spiritual reflection by meditating on God’s Word before bed, seeking His presence in prayer, and letting His promises comfort us.

What should we do if we struggle with sleep due to anxiety or worry?

If we struggle with sleep due to anxiety, we should cast our cares on God through prayer, seeking His peace and trusting in His promises, as encouraged in Philippians 4:6-7.

Conclusion

Sleep is not merely a physical necessity but a profound expression of our trust in God’s peace and care. The Scriptures remind us that sleep is a gift from God, a time for rest and renewal. By embracing the promises found in the Bible, we can find comfort and reassurance in our nightly rest.

As we lay down to sleep, may we remember that our rest is secured in God’s hands, allowing us to experience true peace and renewal through Him.