Crying is a natural expression of deep emotion, whether it be sorrow, pain, joy, or relief. In the Bible, crying is often portrayed as an authentic human response to life’s challenges and as a form of communication with God. The Scriptures acknowledge the tears of the faithful, showing that God is attentive to our cries and compassionate toward our suffering. These verses highlight the significance of crying in both personal and spiritual contexts, offering comfort and assurance that God is with us in our tears. Here are 30 Bible verses about crying, each with a brief commentary.
1. Psalm 56:8
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”
This verse shows God’s attentiveness to our tears. It teaches that every tear we shed is precious to God, and He cares deeply about our pain, keeping a record of our sorrows and offering comfort in our affliction.
2. Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
This verse speaks of the ultimate comfort in heaven. It teaches that in God’s eternal kingdom, all suffering, including crying, will end, as He will bring complete healing and joy to His people.
3. John 11:35
“Jesus wept.”
The shortest verse in the Bible, yet profound. It teaches that Jesus, in His humanity, felt deep sorrow and compassion, reminding us that He understands our pain and mourns with us in our grief.
4. Psalm 34:17
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”
This verse reassures us of God’s responsiveness. It teaches that when we cry out to God in our distress, He hears us and is faithful to deliver us, providing hope and comfort in difficult times.
5. Isaiah 25:8
“He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.”
This verse promises the end of sorrow. It teaches that God will ultimately remove all sources of grief and tears, bringing about a time of eternal peace and restoration for His people.
6. Psalm 30:5
“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
This verse offers hope after sorrow. It teaches that while tears and sorrow may come, they are temporary, and joy will follow as God’s favor brings new beginnings and restoration.
7. Ecclesiastes 3:4
“A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”
This verse acknowledges the seasons of life. It teaches that crying and mourning are natural and appropriate responses during certain times in life, balanced by times of joy and celebration.
8. 2 Kings 20:5
“Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.’”
This verse shows God’s response to Hezekiah’s tears. It teaches that God sees our tears and responds with compassion and healing, showing His deep care for our well-being.
9. Lamentations 2:18
“The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. You walls of Daughter Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief, your eyes no rest.”
This verse reflects deep sorrow and lament. It teaches that crying out to God in times of great distress is a way to express our grief and seek His intervention, demonstrating a heartfelt plea for mercy.
10. Psalm 6:6
“I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.”
David expresses deep sorrow and exhaustion. It teaches that in moments of overwhelming grief, it is natural to weep and pour out our pain before God, who understands our deepest struggles.
11. Luke 7:38
“As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.”
This verse describes the woman anointing Jesus’ feet with her tears. It teaches that tears can be an expression of repentance, love, and devotion, as this woman’s actions reflected her deep gratitude and reverence for Jesus.
12. Jeremiah 31:16
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,’ declares the Lord. ‘They will return from the land of the enemy.'”
God promises comfort and restoration. It teaches that while tears are a part of our journey, God’s promise of restoration and reward brings hope, encouraging us to look forward to His deliverance.
13. Psalm 42:3
“My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?'”
The psalmist expresses deep sorrow and questioning. It teaches that in times of despair, when we feel abandoned or questioned by others, our tears become a constant companion, yet we can still hope in God.
14. Isaiah 38:5
“Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.'”
God responds to Hezekiah’s tears with healing. It teaches that God not only hears our prayers but also sees our tears, responding with compassion and extending grace and life.
15. Psalm 126:5
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”
This verse speaks of the hope after sorrow. It teaches that our tears and sorrows, when offered to God, can lead to a harvest of joy and blessings, as He turns our mourning into rejoicing.
16. Genesis 21:16
“Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, ‘I cannot watch the boy die.’ And as she sat there, she began to sob.”
Hagar weeps in despair over Ishmael. It teaches that in moments of utter hopelessness, our tears and cries are not ignored by God, who hears and responds to our deepest needs.
17. Psalm 39:12
“Hear my prayer, Lord, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were.”
The psalmist pleads for God’s attention. It teaches that our tears are a form of prayer, reaching out to God for help and comfort, trusting that He hears us even when we feel like strangers in this world.
18. Hebrews 5:7
“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”
This verse describes Jesus praying with tears. It teaches that Jesus, in His humanity, experienced deep emotion and sorrow, and His tears were a powerful part of His prayers, demonstrating His complete reliance on the Father.
19. Psalm 88:9
“My eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, Lord, every day; I spread out my hands to you.”
The psalmist expresses continual sorrow and seeking. It teaches that in prolonged times of grief, we should continue to reach out to God, knowing that He sees our tears and hears our persistent prayers.
20. Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Jesus promises comfort to those who mourn. It teaches that in our times of mourning and crying, God offers His comfort, blessing us with His presence and the assurance of His care.
21. Jeremiah 9:1
“Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people.”
Jeremiah laments for his people. It teaches that deep sorrow for the suffering of others can lead us to cry out to God, reflecting a heart of compassion and intercession for those in need.
22. Psalm 119:136
“Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.”
The psalmist weeps over disobedience to God’s law. It teaches that our tears can express grief over sin and disobedience, showing a heart that is aligned with God’s will and desires righteousness.
23. 1 Samuel 1:10
“In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.”
Hannah cries out to God in her anguish. It teaches that in times of deep personal pain, we can pour out our hearts to God with tears, trusting that He hears and understands our suffering.
24. 2 Corinthians 2:4
“For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.”
Paul speaks of writing with tears. It teaches that tears can be a powerful expression of love and concern for others, showing the depth of our emotions and the sincerity of our care.
25. Psalm 80:5
“You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.”
The psalmist speaks of abundant sorrow. It teaches that there are seasons where tears seem overwhelming, yet even in these times, we can turn to God for comfort and hope, trusting in His ultimate plan for restoration.
26. Mark 9:24
“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'”
Though not explicitly mentioning tears, this verse conveys a cry of desperation. It teaches that our cries for help, even in moments of doubt, are heard by God, who responds to our heartfelt pleas for faith and assistance.
27. Psalm 56:9
“Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.”
The psalmist expresses confidence in God’s help. It teaches that when we cry out to God in distress, we can have confidence that He is on our side, ready to protect and deliver us from our troubles.
28. Isaiah 38:3
“Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.”
Hezekiah’s tears accompany his plea for life. It teaches that sincere tears, combined with a life lived in devotion to God, move God’s heart, showing the power of honest, heartfelt prayer.
29. Psalm 9:12
“For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.”
This verse emphasizes God’s attentiveness to the cries of the afflicted. It teaches that God does not forget or ignore our cries of pain and suffering, but He remembers and responds with justice and compassion.
30. John 16:20
“Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”
Jesus speaks of the transformation of sorrow. It teaches that while we may experience deep sorrow and tears now, God promises that this grief will eventually be transformed into joy, offering hope and assurance for the future.
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