Memorize Bible Verses
by Setting Them to Music

One of the easiest ways to memorize Bible verses is to set them to music. Music aids our memory and adds fun to the memorization process. Plus, songs tend to stick in our minds for a lifetime.

Since I am a firm believer in the value of memorizing Bible verses, I make Bible memory work a priority in my Bible classes. Younger children are especially good at memorizing, so don’t be afraid to challenge them.

To help my students memorize Bible verses more quickly and easily, I like to set the words of the verses to familiar childhood songs. That way, the students don’t have to learn a new melody. Think about songs your kids already know: nursery rhymes, folk songs, songs with simple melodies. Sometimes you have to try a few songs before you find the one that works best for the Bible verse you are trying to memorize.

This page contains PDF links to some of the Bible verses I have set to song. Most have the words of the original songs printed lightly below the words of the Bible verse to help you figure out how the songs go. (I hope to make lyric videos for these songs at some point to make it easier to learn how the songs go.)

Visuals to Help Memorize Bible Verses

Some songs have visuals that the kids can use while they memorize Bible verses. You can print these in color on white paper if you wish; however, I usually print them with black ink on brightly colored paper. Sometimes I choose a color of paper that will reinforce the words on that particular page. For example, if the words are about “light,” I might print them on yellow paper.

1 John 1:7

I sometimes punch a hole in the top left-hand corner of the printed pages of the song / Bible verse and attach them with a ring. (I make a copy for each small group.) This way students can flip through the pages as they are practicing the Bible verse, and the words stay in order. You can also remove some of the words and see if the kids remember them. Students also use these visuals during large-group time to lead the class in the songs, flipping through and showing the visuals as they lead.

Colossians 3:17

Another thing I have done with the visuals is attach them to poster board (you can use the front and back and flip back and forth) or tape them together into larger sheets. These are easier for kids to hold in front of the class while they are leading the songs.

Acts 1:8

Memorize Bible Verses from the
Jesus Is A-Z Curriculum

Here are songs to help memorize Bible verses from the Jesus Is A-Z curriculum.


From the Jesus Is A-F Memorization Chart

A - Revelation 1:8 Song ("I am Alpha and Omega...") to the tune of "Michael Finnegan"

B - John 6:35 Song ("And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life...") to the tune of "Six Little Ducks"

C - Ephesians 2:20 Song ("And are built upon the foundation...") to the tune of "The Wise Man Built His House"

D - John 10:7 - no song for this verse yet

E - Matthew 1:23 Song ("Behold, a virgin shall be with child...") to the tune of "Rock-a-Bye Baby"

F - Hebrews 10:23 Song ("Let us hold fast the profession of our faith...") to the tune of "A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea"


From the Jesus Is G-L Memorization Chart:

G - John 10:11 - no song for this verse yet

H - Hebrews 13:6 Song ("So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper...") to the tune of "A Peanut Sat on the Railroad Track"

I - Colossians 1:15 - no song for this verse yet

J - 2 Timothy 4:8 Song Song ("Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness...") to the tune of "Itsy Bitsy Spider"

K - Revelation 19:16 Song ("And he hath on his vesture...") to the tune of "Did You Ever See a Lassie"

L - John 1:29 - no song for this verse yet


From the Jesus Is L-Q Memorization Chart

L - John 8:12 Song ("Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world...") to the tune of "You Are My Sunshine"

M - 1 Timothy 2:5 - no song for this verse yet

N - Matthew 2:23 Song ("And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth...") to the tune of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands"

O - Jude 1:25 - no song for this verse yet

P - 1 John 2:2 - no song for this verse yet

Q - 1 Corinthians 15:45 - no song for this verse yet


From the Jesus Is R-U Memorization Chart

R - Job 19:25 - no song for this verse yet

R - John 11:25 Song ("Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection...") to the tune of "Deep and Wide"

John 11:25 audio file

S - Luke 2:11 - no song for this verse yet

T - Philippians 2:7 - no song for this verse yet

T - John 14:6 - no song for this verse yet

U - Hebrews 13:8 - no song for this verse yet


From the Jesus Is V-Z Memorization Chart

V - John 15:5 - no song for this verse yet

W - Isaiah 9:6 - no song for this verse yet

W - John 1:1 - no song for this verse yet

X - Philippians 2:9 - no song for this verse yet

Y - 2 Corinthians 1:20 - no song for this verse yet

Z - John 2:17 - no song for this verse yet

Memorize Doctrinal Bible Verses

Use these songs to help students memorize Bible verses on important foundational topics:

"One God" Memory Verses


Isaiah 43:11 Song

Isaiah 43:11 is set to the tune of "Baby Bumblebee."

Here's a "chipmunk" version. :D


Ephesians 4:6 Song

Ephesians 4:6 is set to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."

Here's a "chipmunk" version. :D


James 2:19 Song

James 2:19 is set to the tune of "Ten in a Bed."

"Sin & Repentance" Memory Verses

James 4:17 Song Visuals

James 4:17 Song Audio

James 4:17 is set to the tune of "Oh, You Can't Get to Heaven."

This is an echo, or call-repeat, song. For the first four lines of the song, one student sings and the rest of the class echoes. These lines are then repeated with everyone singing together. (My students love leading this song.)

1 John 1:9 Song Visuals

1 John 1:9 Song Audio

1 John 1:9 is set to the tune of "Where, Oh Where, Has My Little Dog Gone?"

1 John 1:7 Song Visuals

1 John 1:7 Song Audio

1 John 1:7 is a song I learned in my childhood. Author unknown.

Luke 24:47 Song Visuals

Luke 24:47 Song Audio

Luke 24:47 is set to the tune of "Hickory, Dickory Dock."

"Baptism in Jesus' Name" Memory Verses

Colossians 3:17 Song

Colossians 3:17 is set to the tune of "Grizzly Bear" and is a favorite with kids. :D

Acts 4:12 Song Visuals

Acts 4:12 Song Audio

Acts 4:12 is set to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Acts 22:16 Song Visuals

Acts 22:16 is set to the tune of "Shoo Fly."

"Holy Ghost" Memory Verses

John 3:5 Song Visuals

John 3:5 Song Audio

John 3:5 is set to the tune of "Darling Clementine."

Acts 2:38 Song Visuals

Acts 2:38 Song Audio

Acts 2:38 is set to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It."

The visuals for the Acts 2:38 song are a little different than for the other songs. I made these visuals to be used with a larger class, so the words are larger, and there are fewer of them per page, resulting in 18 total pages in this PDF file. I usually tape these pages together like this:

Acts 2:38

I have several students come to the front of the class and hold the words, raising their particular section(s) when we get to those words.

Acts 2:4 Song Visuals

Acts 2:4 Song Audio

Acts 2:4 is set to the tune of "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush."

Acts 1:8 Song Visuals

Acts 1:8 Song Audio

Acts 1:8 is set to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad."

John 7:38 Song

John 7:38 is set to the tune of "The Bear Went Over the Mountain."

Ezekiel 36:27 Song

Ezekiel 36:27 is set to the tune of "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain."

"Obeying God" Memory Verses

Deuteronomy 27:10 Song

Deuteronomy 27:10 is set to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell."

1 John 5:2 Song

1 John 5:2 is set to the tune of "Boom, Boom, Ain't It Great to Be Crazy."

1 John 3:22 Song

1 John 3:22 is set to the tune of "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt."

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Song

Ecclesiastes is set to the tune of "Home, Home on the Range."

"Honoring Authorities" Memory Verses

Hebrews 13:17a Song

Hebrews 13:17a is set to the tune of "Do Your Ears Hang Low?"

1 Timothy 5:17 Song

1 Timothy 5:17 is set to the tune of "BINGO."

"My Bible" Memory Verses

Isaiah 40:8 Song

Isaiah 40:8 is set to the tune of a lunch song I learned as a child "Today is Monday..."

Psalm 119:103 Song

Psalm 119:103 is set to the tune of "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider."

"My Character" Memory Verses

Ephesians 4:32 Song

Ephesians 4:32 is set to the tune of "The Old Gray Mare."

Matthew 7:12 Song

Matthew 7:12 is set to the tune of "Pop! Goes the Weasel."

You can read more about my ideas for making Bible memorization part of your Sunday school or Bible class, on my main Bible Memorization page. You can find more ideas, tips, and activities to help your students memorize Bible verses on my Memorization Tips page. My prayer is that you find all these songs, ideas, and activities helpful as you memorize Bible verses together. May God bless your efforts!


Return from Memorize Bible Verses page to HOME page


  • Subscribe to "Annette's Notes" to receive periodic emails containing ideas and inspiration for teaching kids the Bible. Rest assured we will never sell or give away your email address.