Bible Verses When Someone Hurts You
The short answer
Psalm 55:12-14, Romans 12:17-19, Luke 6:27-28 and Proverbs 20:22 speak to being wronged. Psalm 55 matters most here: it is a betrayal by a close friend, prayed out loud and angrily. Scripture makes room for saying what was done before it asks anything of you.
Being hurt by someone close is its own kind of injury. The psalms name it without softening it.
Where to begin
Three passages for a wound that is still fresh.
Psalm 55:12-14
For it was not an enemy who insulted me, then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, then I would have hidden myself from him. But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend. We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God’s house with company.
Biblical context
A psalm of betrayal by a trusted friend, written by someone describing fear and trembling.
Selah’s reflection
The psalm explains why this hurts more than an enemy's attack. It does not ask the writer to be reasonable about it.
Romans 12:17-19
Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Biblical context
Instructions to Christians in Rome living under a hostile authority.
Selah’s reflection
Not taking revenge is not the same as saying it was fine. The passage assumes something is owed and puts the collection in God's hands.
Luke 6:27-28
“But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.
Biblical context
From Jesus's sermon on the plain, spoken to people under occupation who had real enemies.
Selah’s reflection
Praying for someone who has hurt you is a long, slow practice and usually the last thing to become possible.
Further passages
Proverbs 20:22
Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.
Biblical context
Wisdom literature on the futility of settling scores.
Selah’s reflection
Waiting here is active restraint rather than passivity.
Psalm 34:18
Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
Biblical context
From the instructional portion of Psalm 34, addressed to the afflicted.
Selah’s reflection
Before anything is asked of the injured person, nearness is offered.
1 Peter 2:23
Who, when he was cursed, didn’t curse back. When he suffered, didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously.
Biblical context
Peter describes Christ's response to injustice, writing to believers suffering unfairly.
Selah’s reflection
Committing the matter to a righteous judge is the mechanism. Silence here is not denial; it is transfer.
A short prayer
God, I have been hurt by someone I trusted and I keep rehearsing it. I am giving you the part of me that wants them to suffer. Hold the wound while it heals.
A question to sit with
What do you actually want from this person, and is it something they are capable of giving?
Try Selah
Tell Selah what tonight actually feels like, and it will help you find relevant passages for this moment.
Open the Selah verse finder