Here are a number of scriptural blessings from the Old Testament, suitable at baptism, graduation or any other significant milestone (e.g. leaving home for studies, employment or ministry opportunities, etc.).
If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, see also New Testament Blessings, Graduation Blessing: Proverbs 3 , Scriptural Blessings for Graduates, or Congregational Litany for Graduating Students. Also try clicking on Graduation prayers, blessings or Benedictions in the list of "Labels" at the far right of the page.
Blessing I
(Psalm 3 7 :3 -6 , New Living Translation)
Trust in the Lord, and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.
Blessing II
(Psalm 1 :1 -3 , New Living Translation)
Oh, the joys of those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with scoffers.
But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants;
day and night they think about his law.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season without fail.
Their leaves never wither,
and in all they do, they prosper.
Blessing III
(Psalm 3 2 :8, New Living Translation)
The Lord says,
“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.”
Blessing IV
(based on Psalm 84 :1 1 1 2 )
The Lord is our light and our protector.
He gives us grace and glory.
No good thing will the Lord withhold
from those who do what is right.
Blessed are those who trust in him.
Blessing V
(Psalm 1 2 1
I raise my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
God won’t let your foot slip.
Your protector won’t fall asleep on the job.
No! Israel
The Lord is your protector;
the Lord is your shade right beside you.
The sun won’t strike you during the day;
neither will the moon at night.
The Lord will protect you from all evil;
God will protect your very life.
The Lord will protect you on your journeys—
whether going or coming—
from now until forever from now.
Blessing VI
(Isaiah 2 6 3 -4 , New Living Translation)
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you,
whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the Lord always,
for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
Blessing VII
(Isaiah 4 0:2 83 1 , New Revised Standard Version)
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.
Blessing VIII
(Isaiah 4 3 :1 -3 a, 5 a)
“Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name—you are mine!
When you go through deep waters and great trouble,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown!
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel
Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”
Blessing IX
(Jeremiah 1 7 7 -8, New Living Translation)
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they go right on producing delicious fruit.
Blessing X
(Proverbs 3 :5 -6 , New Living Translation)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek God’s will in all you do,
and he will direct your paths.
