Promises of God

The LORD said in his heart

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:22

Said when Noah came out of the ark and offered on the altar (8:20-21).

Read it: Genesis 8:20-22

God said to Noah and his sons

And I will establish my covenant with you Genesis 9:11

neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood Genesis 9:11

neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. Genesis 9:11

God said

I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. Genesis 9:13

Made with Noah, his sons and their seed after them, and every living creature (9:8-10, 9:12).

Read it: Genesis 9:8-17

The LORD God said to the serpent

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed Genesis 3:15

it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15

Said to the serpent (3:14). Christians have long read her seed as Christ; the verse does not name him.

Read it: Genesis 3:14-15

The LORD said to Abram

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great Genesis 12:2

and thou shalt be a blessing: Genesis 12:2

and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12:3

Said to Abram when he was told to leave his country (12:1).

Read it: Genesis 12:1-3

The LORD said to Abraham

And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession Genesis 17:8

and I will be their God. Genesis 17:8

Said when Abram was ninety-nine, as his name was made Abraham (17:1, 17:5).

Read it: Genesis 17:1-8

The LORD said to Jacob

And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land Genesis 28:15

for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. Genesis 28:15

Said to Jacob in a dream, at the place he called Bethel, as he went from Beersheba toward Haran (28:10-12, 28:19).

Read it: Genesis 28:10-15

God spake

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Exodus 20:12

Paul wrote

Honour thy father and mother Ephesians 6:2

which is the first commandment with promise Ephesians 6:2

That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Ephesians 6:3

One of the commandments God spake at Sinai (20:1). Paul repeats it to the children among the saints at Ephesus (Ephesians 1:1, 6:1), and calls it the first commandment with promise.

Read it: Exodus 20:1-12, Ephesians 6:1-3

Balaam said to Balak

God is not a man, that he should lie Numbers 23:19

neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19

Not a promise itself: what the text says of God's word. Balaam said it to Balak king of Moab, who had sent for him to curse Israel (22:5-6, 23:18), after the LORD put a word in his mouth (23:16).

Read it: Numbers 23:16-20

Moses said to Israel

Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations Deuteronomy 7:9

Said to Israel, whom the text calls a people the LORD had chosen (7:6-7).

Read it: Deuteronomy 7:6-9

Moses said to all Israel

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee Deuteronomy 31:6

he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6

Moses said to Joshua

he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8

The LORD said to Joshua

as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Joshua 1:5

Be strong and of a good courage Joshua 1:9

be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9

Moses said 31:6 to all Israel before they crossed the Jordan (31:1-3), and 31:8 to Joshua in the sight of all Israel (31:7); the LORD said it to Joshua after Moses died (Joshua 1:1). Hebrews 13:5 has words close to these (see In Acts, the letters and Revelation).

Read it: Deuteronomy 31:1-8, Joshua 1:1-9

The LORD said to David, by Nathan

I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 2 Samuel 7:12

And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. 2 Samuel 7:16

The word of the LORD came to Nathan, to tell David (7:4-5, 7:17), when David wanted to build the LORD an house. 7:13 says his seed shall build an house for the LORD's name.

Read it: 2 Samuel 7:4-17

The LORD said to Solomon

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways 2 Chronicles 7:14

then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Said to Solomon by night, answering his prayer at the house he had built (7:11-12).

Read it: 2 Chronicles 7:12-14

Said to the house of David

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign Isaiah 7:14

Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

The LORD spake to Ahaz (7:10), and the sign is given to the house of David (7:13). Matthew 1:22-23 says it was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus.

Read it: Isaiah 7:10-14

The song

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

Part of a song the text says will be sung in the land of Judah (26:1).

Read it: Isaiah 26:1-4

The prophet said to Jacob and Israel

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength Isaiah 40:31

they shall mount up with wings as eagles Isaiah 40:31

they shall run, and not be weary Isaiah 40:31

and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Said to Jacob and Israel, who were saying their way was hid from the LORD (40:27).

Read it: Isaiah 40:27-31

The LORD said to Israel

Fear thou not Isaiah 41:10

for I am with thee: be not dismayed Isaiah 41:10

for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee Isaiah 41:10

yea, I will help thee Isaiah 41:10

yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

Said to Israel, "Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend" (41:8).

Read it: Isaiah 41:8-10

The LORD said to Jacob and Israel

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee Isaiah 43:2

and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned Isaiah 43:2

neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2

Said to Jacob and Israel (43:1).

Read it: Isaiah 43:1-3

The LORD said to the captives in Babylon

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Sent in a letter to those carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon (29:1, 29:4), with the promise to bring them back after seventy years (29:10).

Read it: Jeremiah 29:4-14

The LORD said

I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts Jeremiah 31:33

and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jeremiah 31:33

for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jeremiah 31:34

A new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah (31:31). Hebrews 8:8-12 quotes it of "a better covenant, which was established upon better promises" (Hebrews 8:6).

Read it: Jeremiah 31:31-34

The Lord GOD said to the house of Israel

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

Said to the house of Israel (36:22), with the promise to gather them out of all countries and bring them into their own land (36:24).

Read it: Ezekiel 36:22-28

Joel said

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. Joel 2:32

Spoken to the children of Zion (2:23). Peter quotes it at Pentecost (Acts 2:21), and Paul says it is for Jew and Greek alike (Romans 10:12-13).

Read it: Joel 2:28-32

The LORD said to the sons of Jacob

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, Malachi 3:10

Said to the sons of Jacob, "this whole nation", who had robbed God in tithes and offerings (3:6, 3:8-9).

Read it: Malachi 3:6-12

The psalm

The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. Psalm 34:7

The psalm's title says it is of David, from when he was before Abimelech and was driven away. The promise is to them that fear him.

Read it: Psalm 34:6-7

The psalm

Delight thyself also in the LORD Psalm 37:4

and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4

The psalm's title says it is of David. The promise is to the one who delights in the LORD; the next verse says, "Commit thy way unto the LORD" (37:5).

Read it: Psalm 37:3-5

The psalm

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

The psalm has no title and does not say who wrote it. The promise is to him that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High.

Read it: Psalm 91:1-2

Said to "my son"

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6

A father's teaching to his son (3:1).

Read it: Proverbs 3:5-6

Jesus said

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness Matthew 6:33

and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

In the sermon on the mount, taught to his disciples with the multitudes there (5:1-2, 7:28). "All these things" are what to eat, drink and wear (6:31-32).

Read it: Matthew 6:31-33

Jesus said

Ask, and it shall be given you Matthew 7:7

seek, and ye shall find Matthew 7:7

knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7

In the sermon on the mount (5:1-2, 7:28).

Read it: Matthew 7:7-11

Jesus said

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Said "at that time" (11:25), after he upbraided the cities where most of his mighty works were done (11:20). The promise is to those he calls heavy laden.

Read it: Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said to the eleven

and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:20

Said to the eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee, with the command to teach all nations (28:16, 28:19).

Read it: Matthew 28:16-20

Jesus said to the malefactor

Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43

Said on the cross to one of the two malefactors crucified with him, who had asked, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom" (23:39-42). A promise to one man.

Read it: Luke 23:39-43

In John 3

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Part of what Jesus said to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews (3:1, 3:10). The text has no quotation marks, so where his words end is not marked; some read 3:16 on as John's own words.

Read it: John 3:14-18

Jesus said

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation John 5:24

but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24

Said to the Jews who sought to kill him because he said God was his Father (5:18-19).

Read it: John 5:19-24

Jesus said

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me John 6:37

and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37

Said in the synagogue at Capernaum (6:59).

Read it: John 6:35-40

Jesus said

And I give unto them eternal life John 10:28

and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:28

Said of his sheep, "My sheep hear my voice" (10:27), at Jerusalem at the feast of the dedication, to the Jews who asked if he was the Christ. He told them, "ye are not of my sheep" (10:22-26).

Read it: John 10:22-29

Jesus said to Martha

I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 11:25

Said to Martha before he raised her brother Lazarus (11:21-25, 11:43-44).

Read it: John 11:23-26

Jesus said to his disciples

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself John 14:3

that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:3

Said to his disciples the night of the supper when Judas went out (13:2, 13:30).

Read it: John 14:1-3

Jesus said to his disciples

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. John 14:14

Said to his disciples the same night (13:2).

Read it: John 14:13-14

Jesus said to his disciples

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever John 14:16

Said to his disciples the same night (13:2). John 14:26 names the Comforter: the Holy Ghost.

Read it: John 14:16-17

Jesus said to his disciples

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

Said to his disciples the same night (13:2).

Read it: John 14:27

Jesus said to the apostles

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

Said to the apostles before he was taken up (1:2, 1:9). Acts 2:1-4 tells of the Holy Ghost coming at Pentecost.

Read it: Acts 1:4-8

He which testifieth these things saith

Surely I come quickly. Revelation 22:20

Near the end of what John saw and heard (22:8). "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches" (22:16).

Read it: Revelation 22:16-20

Peter said

Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:39

Peter's answer at Pentecost to the men of Judaea and Jerusalem who asked what they should do (2:14, 2:37).

Read it: Acts 2:36-39

Paul and Silas said

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:31

Said to the keeper of the prison at Philippi, who asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (16:27-30).

Read it: Acts 16:29-31

Paul wrote

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Written to the saints at Rome (1:7).

Read it: Romans 8:28

Paul wrote

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

Written to the saints at Rome (1:7). 10:13 quotes Joel 2:32, and 10:12 says there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek.

Read it: Romans 10:9-13

Paul wrote

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able 1 Corinthians 10:13

but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Written to the church at Corinth (1:2).

Read it: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Paul wrote

Be careful for nothing Philippians 4:6

but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Written to the saints at Philippi (1:1). The peace follows from 4:6: prayer, with thanksgiving.

Read it: Philippians 4:6-7

Paul wrote

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Written to the saints at Philippi after they had sent him what he needed by Epaphroditus (1:1, 4:16-18).

Read it: Philippians 4:18-19

Paul wrote

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1 Thessalonians 4:16

and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

Written to the church of the Thessalonians, about them which are asleep, that they sorrow not as others which have no hope (1:1, 4:13).

Read it: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The letter says

and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

The letter does not say where he said it; the words are close to Deuteronomy 31:6 and 31:8 and Joshua 1:5 (see To particular people). The letter does not name who wrote it.

Read it: Hebrews 13:5-6

James wrote

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not James 1:5

and it shall be given him. James 1:5

Written to the twelve tribes scattered abroad (1:1). 1:6 adds: let him ask in faith.

Read it: James 1:5-6

James wrote

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. James 4:8

Written to the twelve tribes scattered abroad (1:1).

Read it: James 4:7-8

John wrote

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Written to "my little children" (2:1).

Read it: 1 John 1:8-9

A great voice out of heaven

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, Revelation 21:3

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Revelation 21:4

and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4

What John heard when he saw a new heaven and a new earth (21:1-3).

Read it: Revelation 21:1-4