Crying is a natural expression of emotion, reflecting vulnerability and release. Here are verses that acknowledge the pain and tears we experience, offering comfort and the assurance of God’s tender compassion and empathy in our distress.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Losing Friends
Bible Verses About Crying
Psalm 126:5
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”
This verse speaks to the transformative power of God’s grace. Our tears and sorrows are never wasted.
They are seeds that God can use to bring about a harvest of joy and rejoicing. It is a hopeful reminder that our pain can have a purpose and lead to divine outcomes.
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 offers a vision of ultimate redemption and healing. The promise of an eternal home where sorrow has been eradicated provides comfort in present trials.
It reassures us that God’s future for us is one of restoration and eternal peace.
John 11:35
“Jesus wept.”
This shortest verse in the Bible carries profound significance. It shows Jesus’ compassion and his ability to empathize with our human condition.
Even the Savior of the world is not immune to tears, reminding us that sorrow and grieving are natural and necessary emotions.
Psalm 56:8
“Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll—are they not in your record?”
This verse captures the personal nature of God’s concern for us. Every tear we shed is known and treasured by God. None go unnoticed.
It’s a comforting thought that our sufferings are important to Him, which can help us feel less isolated in our pain.
Ecclesiastes 3:4
“a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,”
This verse underscores the seasons of life, reflecting the rhythm of earthly existence. It helps us understand that times of sorrow and crying are just as important as times of joy and celebration.
Such cycles remind us of the balance and interconnectedness in our experiences.
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 serves as a reminder of the transient nature of suffering and the enduring nature of God’s love and favor. Though we may experience grief, it is temporary and overshadowed by the greater joy that God promises.
This provides hope and encouragement to endure hardships.
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 reaffirms God’s ultimate victory over sorrow and death. It highlights His power to completely remove suffering and the permanence of His promise.
It offers a glimpse into the compassionate nature of God who seeks to bring complete restoration.
Luke 6:21
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”
This verse reflects a reversal of fortunes and underscores Jesus’ message of hope for those suffering. It promises that our present suffering will be transformed into future joy.
It encourages us to endure present hardships with the assurance of God’s transformative power.
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.”
God acknowledges our pain but also calls us to hope. This verse assures us that our efforts and struggles are not in vain.
It reminds us to focus on His promises and the rewards that await those who remain faithful.
Lamentations 3:49-50
“My eyes will flow unceasingly, without relief, until the Lord looks down from heaven and sees.”
This verse embodies the relentless nature of human sorrow and the hope that God will intervene. The tears described here are a cry for divine attention and action.
It acknowledges the depth of our pain while also expressing trust in God’s eventual intervention.
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 emphasizes God’s responsiveness to our sorrows and prayers. He actively listens and is moved by our tears.
It reinforces the belief that God is intimately involved in our lives and our sufferings are not ignored.
Ezra 10:1
“While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites—men, women, and children—gathered around him. They too wept bitterly.”
This verse shows collective sorrow and repentance, highlighting the power of communal lament. It’s a reminder that shared tears can lead to powerful moments of unity and transformation.
The act of weeping together opens the door for communal healing and support.
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.'”
This verse once again emphasizes the direct response of God to our pain and petitions. It demonstrates His deep compassion and readiness to intervene in our lives.
He sees our tears and acts, showing His desire to bring healing and extend our hope.
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.”
This verse captures a deeply human moment of despair and helplessness. It reminds us that even in our darkest hours, God is present and compassionate towards our suffering.
We should take comfort in knowing that He understands our deepest fears and pains.
Genesis 33:4
“But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.”
This verse illustrates reconciliation and the healing that can come through shared tears. The act of weeping together signifies forgiveness and restored relationships.
It encourages us to seek reconciliation in our own lives and the transformative power of shared sorrow.
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 passage highlights Jesus’ humanity and his deep emotional life. It reassures us that our tears and cries are also heard by God.
It reiterates the theme that God is moved by our sincerity and sorrow.
Job 16:20
“My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God;”
Job’s experience showcases the deep connection between human suffering and divine compassion. His tears are a means of communicating with God.
It reminds us that God is both a friend and an intercessor who understands our pain.
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.”
This verse speaks to the overwhelming nature of sorrow and grief. It’s an honest portrayal of emotional exhaustion.
It reminds us that it is okay to express our deepest pain and seek solace in God during our darkest times.
Psalm 42:3
“My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?'”
This verse showcases the struggle of maintaining faith amidst suffering and doubt. The psalmist’s tears reflect an ongoing, persistent sorrow and the challenge of remaining steadfast.
It reassures us that questioning and grief are part of the faith journey.
Nehemiah 1:4
“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”
Nehemiah’s response to news of Jerusalem’s ruins is a powerful example of passionate, empathetic leadership. His tears are an impetus for action and prayer.
It encourages us to allow our sorrows to lead us to constructive and prayerful responses.
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’s lament shows the prophet’s deep emotional connection to his people’s suffering. His very body becomes a symbol of unending sorrow.
It teaches us the importance of empathy and the profound impact of collective grief.
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.”
This verse is an earnest plea for divine attention and mercy. The psalmist’s tears reflect a deep sense of vulnerability and dependency on God.
It serves as a reminder of our own need to openly communicate our distress to God.
Acts 20:19
“I served the Lord with great humility and with tears in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.”
The Apostle Paul’s tears signify his intense dedication and the challenges he faced in service to God. His emotional vulnerability showcases the depth of his faith and commitment.
It encourages us to remain humble and steadfast, even during times of great trial.
2 Timothy 1:4
“Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.”
This verse highlights the deep emotional bonds that connect us. Paul’s acknowledgment of Timothy’s tears underscores the authenticity of their relationship.
It reminds us of the power of emotional connections and the joy that can come from them.
Psalm 119:136
“Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.”
The psalmist’s tears here are a response to spiritual anguish and disobedience to God’s law. It’s a lament for the state of the world around him.
It encourages us to be moved by the moral and spiritual failures we see and to seek God’s guidance.
Matthew 2:18
“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
This verse from Matthew captures a profound moment of collective sorrow. The image of Rachel weeping signifies deep loss and lamentation.
It serves as a reminder of the communal impact of tragedy and the importance of mourning together.
Luke 19:41
“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.”
Jesus’ tears over Jerusalem show his deep compassion and sorrow for the city’s future. His weeping reveals his profound emotional connection to the people he came to save.
It encourages us to cultivate hearts that are sensitive and compassionate toward the suffering around us.
Isaiah 30:19
“People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you.”
This verse offers a promise of joy and divine grace. It reassures us that God is attentively listening and ready to respond to our cries for help.
It encourages us to maintain faith in God’s timely intervention and compassionate nature.
Genesis 50:17
“So you are to say to Joseph, ‘I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father. When their message came to him, Joseph wept.”
This verse captures the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. Joseph’s tears signify a release of long-held pain and the beginning of a healing process.
It encourages us to embrace forgiveness and allow ourselves to experience the emotional release it can bring.
What Does the Bible Say About Crying?
In the Bible, crying is portrayed as a natural human response to various circumstances, often bringing us closer to God and reflecting the depth of our relationship with Him. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, we encounter numerous instances where crying serves as a genuine and poignant expression of emotions, such as sorrow, repentance, and even joy.
In the Psalms, we find a raw and unfiltered representation of human emotions. King David, for example, frequently cried out to God in times of distress and suffering. His tears symbolized his reliance on God and his belief that God hears our pleas and sees our suffering. By voicing his pain and sorrow, David demonstrated that crying is a legitimate form of prayer and a way to seek comfort from the Lord.
Moreover, crying can also signify repentance. When we recognize our sins and express a heartfelt desire to change, our tears can illustrate our genuine remorse. In the book of Joel, we are called to “return to the Lord with all our hearts, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” This serves as a reminder that our tears can be part of an earnest plea for forgiveness and a symbol of our commitment to transform our ways.
The New Testament continues to show the profound significance of tears. Jesus Himself wept on several occasions, revealing His deep compassion and empathy. In the shortest verse of the Bible, “Jesus wept,” we see Him mourning the death of Lazarus, highlighting His humanity and His genuine care for those He loves. This demonstrates that crying can be an expression of love and compassion, showing us that it’s a natural and essential part of the human experience.
In the book of Revelation, we find a promise that God will eventually wipe away every tear from our eyes. This future hope reassures us that our present sorrows and crying are temporary and that a time will come when pain and suffering will be no more. God’s promise of eternal comfort encourages us to trust in His ultimate plan and to find solace in His presence during our times of grief.
In conclusion, the Bible acknowledges crying as a powerful and meaningful expression of our inner emotions. It allows us to draw closer to God, whether we’re seeking comfort, expressing repentance, or sharing compassion. Through our tears, we can experience His presence and look forward to the promise of a time when all tears will be wiped away.