The YouVersion Bible app recently revealed that Isaiah 41:10 was its most shared, most bookmarked, and most highlighted verse in 2023. The verse says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
According to a YouVersion press release, this is the third year since 2020 that the “do not fear” verse has been the app’s Verse of the Year—the others were 2020 and 2022. In 2021, the Bible app’s most favored verse was Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
It was a record-breaking year for the YouVersion family of apps (Bible App, Bible App Lite, Bible App for Kids), which have surpassed 625 million downloads since the Bible app was introduced 15 years ago. YouVersion recorded an increase of more than 100 million installations on devices in 2023 alone.
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It is estimated that over 12 million people engage the digital Bible app on a daily basis, and that number is increasing across the world.
Bobby Gruenewald, founder and CEO of YouVersion, said that “throughout this year, we’ve seen our global community engage with Scripture at impressively high rates.”
“From what we’re seeing, this isn’t just a momentary surge but something that will last,” he added. “We anticipate an even greater level of excitement around Bible engagement in the years to come.”
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Initially launching in 2008 with English and Spanish versions of the Bible, YouVersion has blossomed into a global app that ministers to people in India, Africa, and Latin America.
YouVersion’s goal is to make the Bible accessible to everyone throughout the world—a feat it cannot accomplish alone, Gruenewald said.
“More than ever before, we’re seeing the global Church unify around God’s Word, and it’s exciting to think about how many more people will grow closer to God because of the passion and commitment of our partners to work together,” said Gruenewald.
