Crying is one of the most fundamental expressions of human emotion, transcending cultural, linguistic, and temporal boundaries. It serves as a universal language that communicates our deepest feelings—whether sorrow, joy, repentance, desperation, or relief.
The Bible, as a profound repository of human experience and divine wisdom, addresses crying in all its forms and contexts.Through its pages, we discover that tears are not merely physical responses but spiritual expressions that God both understands and honors.
Crying in Times of Sorrow
Psalm 34:18 serves as a foundational promise: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” This verse establishes a fundamental truth about God’s character—He draws near to those who are suffering.
The Hebrew word for “close” suggests not just proximity but active presence and engagement. When we are brokenhearted, God doesn’t remain at a distance; He comes closer.
Psalm 56:8 offers one of the most tender and personal images in Scripture: “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 transforms our understanding of tears from mere emotional overflow to precious offerings that God treasures.
The image of God collecting our tears in a bottle suggests that every tear has value and meaning to Him. Nothing we experience in sorrow is wasted or forgotten in God’s economy. Our tears become part of a divine record, acknowledged and preserved by the Creator Himself.
Revelation 21:4 provides the ultimate hope for all who weep: “‘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 prophetic promise looks toward the new creation where the very causes of our tears will be eliminated. The image of God personally wiping away tears is incredibly intimate and caring, showing that the resolution of our sorrow is not just systemic but deeply personal.
Lamentations 3:22-23 speaks into the darkest moments with hope: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Written during one of Israel’s most devastating periods, these words remind us that even when sorrow threatens to overwhelm us completely, God’s love prevents our total destruction. The daily renewal of His compassions means that each morning brings fresh grace for our ongoing struggles.
Psalm 126:5 offers a transformative perspective: “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” This agricultural metaphor suggests that our tears are like seeds planted in soil—they will eventually produce a harvest of joy.
The sowing process involves tears, but the reaping brings celebration. This verse doesn’t minimize present sorrow but places it within a larger narrative of eventual triumph and joy.
John 11:35, the shortest verse in the Bible, simply states: “Jesus wept.” These two words carry profound theological weight. At Lazarus’s tomb, Jesus—who knew He would raise His friend from the dead—still wept.
This demonstrates that tears are not incompatible with faith or divine power. Jesus’ tears validate our own emotional responses to loss and suffering, showing that even the Son of God was moved to tears by human pain.
2 Kings 20:5 records God’s response to Hezekiah’s tears: “‘I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.'” This verse directly connects tears with divine attention and response.
God not only hears our words but sees our tears, and both can move Him to action. Hezekiah’s tears were part of his prayer, demonstrating that emotional expression can be a form of worship and supplication.
Psalm 30:5 provides a temporal perspective on weeping: “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 acknowledges that tears are often part of our experience (“weeping may stay”), but it places them within a larger context of God’s enduring favor. The imagery of night and morning suggests that seasons of sorrow are temporary, while joy represents the dawn of God’s ongoing goodness.
Isaiah 53:3 describes the suffering servant: “He was despised and rejected by people, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.” This prophetic description of Jesus emphasizes His intimate acquaintance with human sorrow.
The phrase “familiar with pain” suggests not casual knowledge but deep, experiential understanding. Jesus’ own suffering qualifies Him to comfort us in ours.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 reveals God’s purpose in comfort: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble, with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
This passage creates a cycle of comfort—God comforts us so that we can comfort others. Our tears and the comfort we receive in them become resources for helping others in their sorrow.
Crying as a Response to Sin
Psalm 51:17 establishes the value of a broken heart before God: “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” David, writing after his adultery with Bathsheba, recognizes that God values inner brokenness over external religious observances.
The word “contrite” suggests being crushed or pulverized, indicating the depth of sorrow that accompanies true repentance.
Jeremiah 9:1 expresses the prophet’s overwhelming grief over his people’s sin: “Oh, that my head was 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 desire for unlimited tears reveals the appropriate response to widespread sin and its consequences. His grief is not just personal but communal, showing how sin affects entire communities and how the righteous should respond with sorrow rather than indifference.
Matthew 26:75 records Peter’s response to his denial of Jesus: “Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
Peter’s bitter weeping demonstrates the appropriate response to personal failure and betrayal. The word “bitterly” suggests deep, anguished sorrow that comes from recognizing the magnitude of one’s sin.
Luke 22:62 simply states: “And he went outside and wept bitterly.” This parallel account of Peter’s response emphasizes the private nature of his repentance. He removed himself from the crowd to express his grief, showing that genuine repentance often requires solitude and honest self-examination.
James 4:9 calls for serious repentance: “Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.” James uses strong language to describe the appropriate response to sin.
The progression from “grieve” to “mourn” to “wail” suggests increasing intensity of sorrow. The contrast between laughter and mourning indicates that sin should be taken seriously, not treated lightly.
Revelation 2:5 contains Jesus’ call to the church in Ephesus: “Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”
While not explicitly mentioning tears, this verse implies the kind of serious self-examination that often leads to weeping. The phrase “how far you have fallen” suggests the need for sorrow over spiritual decline.
Zechariah 12:10 prophetically describes future repentance: “They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” This verse describes the ultimate recognition of sin’s consequences—the crucifixion of the Messiah. The mourning described is intense and personal, comparing it to the grief of losing one’s most precious child.
Lamentations 1:16 expresses the writer’s overwhelming sorrow: “This is why I weep and my eyes overflow with tears. No one is near to comfort me, no one to restore my spirit.”
This verse captures the isolation that often accompanies the recognition of sin and its consequences. The imagery of overflowing tears suggests uncontrollable sorrow over the devastation that sin has wrought.
Ezra 10:1 describes communal repentance: “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.” Ezra’s leadership in repentance sparked a community-wide response. His public display of grief over sin inspired others to examine their own hearts and join in weeping.
Psalm 119:136 shows the psalmist’s grief over others’ disobedience: “Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.” This verse reveals how those who love God’s law are moved to tears when they see it violated. The “streams of tears” imagery suggests continuous, abundant weeping over the disregard for God’s commands.
Crying as a Sign of Joy and Deliverance
Psalm 126:6 presents the beautiful contrast: “Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”
This verse uses agricultural imagery to show how initial tears of labor and hope eventually become celebrations of harvest. The transformation from weeping to singing reflects God’s ability to turn our mourning into joy.
1 Samuel 1:18 describes Hannah’s transformation: “She said, ‘May your servant find favor in your eyes.’ Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.”
While not explicitly mentioning tears of joy, this verse shows the dramatic change that occurred in Hannah after her prayer. Her countenance shifted from sorrow to hope, anticipating God’s answer to her request.
Zephaniah 3:17 reveals God’s joy over His people: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
This verse presents the remarkable picture of God rejoicing and singing over His people. It suggests that our joy often mirrors God’s own delight in our relationship with Him.
John 16:20 contains Jesus’ promise about transformed sorrow: “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 acknowledges that His followers will experience sorrow, but He promises transformation. The phrase “turn to” suggests a complete reversal, not just the addition of joy to existing sorrow.
Romans 12:15 calls for empathetic participation in others’ emotions: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
This verse recognizes that crying can be communal, whether in sorrow or joy. It calls believers to enter into the emotional experiences of others, sharing both their tears of sorrow and their tears of joy.
Job 42:5-6 records Job’s response to his encounter with God: “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
While initially appearing to describe sorrow, this passage actually represents Job’s joy at finally understanding God’s nature and plan. His repentance leads to restoration and blessing.
Psalm 30:11 celebrates God’s transformation: “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.”
This verse vividly describes the complete reversal God can bring to our circumstances. The contrast between wailing and dancing, sackcloth and joy, shows the dramatic nature of divine intervention.
Isaiah 61:3 promises beautiful exchange: “And provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
This verse presents multiple contrasts that show God’s restorative power. Each exchange represents a fundamental transformation from sorrow to joy.
Luke 1:14 foretells the joy of John the Baptist’s birth: “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth.”
This prophecy anticipates tears of joy that would accompany the birth of the forerunner to the Messiah. It shows how God’s plans often include reasons for great celebration.
2 Corinthians 7:10 distinguishes between types of sorrow: “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
This verse shows that even sorrow can lead to joy when it is “godly sorrow” that produces repentance and salvation. The phrase “leaves no regret” suggests that such sorrow ultimately results in satisfaction and joy.
Crying in Prayer and Supplication
Luke 22:44 records Jesus’ intense prayer in Gethsemane: “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
While not explicitly mentioning tears, this verse shows the physical intensity that can accompany earnest prayer. Jesus’ anguish demonstrates that intense emotion in prayer is not unspiritual but deeply human and authentic.
Philippians 4:6 encourages bringing all concerns to God: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” While not directly mentioning tears, this verse implies that all our emotional states—including those that produce tears—should be brought before God in prayer.
1 Samuel 1:10 describes Hannah’s desperate prayer: “In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord.” Hannah’s example shows how weeping and praying can occur simultaneously.
Her “bitterness of soul” produced both tears and supplication, demonstrating that emotional pain can drive us toward rather than away from God.
Psalm 5:1-2 appeals for God’s attention: “Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.” The psalmist’s “lament” and “cry for help” suggest emotional intensity in prayer.
The progression from words to lament to cry shows increasing desperation and emotional engagement.
Jonah 2:2 records the prophet’s prayer from the fish: “He said: ‘In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.'”
Jonah’s “cry” from his desperate situation shows how extreme circumstances often produce intense, emotional prayers that God hears and answers.
Hebrews 5:7 describes Jesus’ earthly prayers: “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 explicitly connects Jesus’ tears with His prayer life, showing that emotional intensity in prayer was part of His human experience and was effective because of His submission to the Father.
Psalm 142:1-2 demonstrates transparent prayer: “I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.” The psalmist’s approach shows complete honesty in prayer, including emotional expression (“cry aloud”) and full disclosure of his troubles.
Acts 20:19 describes Paul’s ministry approach: “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.” Paul’s tears were part of his service to God, showing that emotional engagement enhances rather than hinders spiritual ministry.
2 Corinthians 12:21 reveals Paul’s pastoral heart: “I fear that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented.” Paul’s potential tears over unrepentant believers show how intercessory concern often produces emotional responses in prayer.
Crying as a Sign of Healing and Restoration
Isaiah 25:8 provides the ultimate promise: “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 looks forward to the complete elimination of all causes of tears. God’s promise to personally wipe away tears shows His intimate involvement in our restoration.
Psalm 147:3 declares God’s healing nature: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” This verse presents God as the divine physician who specializes in emotional and spiritual healing. The imagery of binding wounds suggests careful, tender care for our injured hearts.
Matthew 5:4 contains Jesus’ beatitude: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” This promise indicates that mourning and tears position us to receive divine comfort. The blessing pronounced on mourners shows that God values and responds to our emotional pain.
2 Samuel 22:7 testifies to God’s responsiveness: “In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears.” David’s experience shows that tears and cries for help reach God’s throne and move Him to action. The imagery of God’s temple suggests that our cries are received in the holy place.
Job 33:26 describes restoration after prayer: “Then that person can pray to God and find favor with him, they will see God’s face and shout for joy; he will restore them to full well-being.” This verse shows the progression from prayer (which may include tears) to joy and complete restoration.
Isaiah 61:7 promises double compensation: “Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance.” This verse shows God’s generous restoration, providing not just healing but abundance in place of former shame and tears.
Psalm 84:6 transforms the valley of weeping: “As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.” The Valley of Baca (weeping) becomes a place of refreshing springs, showing how God can transform our places of sorrow into sources of blessing.
Ezekiel 36:26 promises inner transformation: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” This verse describes the internal healing that God provides, replacing hardness with sensitivity and life.
John 14:27 offers Jesus’ peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Jesus’ peace serves as a healing balm for troubled hearts, providing the internal calm that stops the flow of anxious tears.
Romans 8:28 provides ultimate assurance: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This verse promises that even our tears and sorrows are part of God’s good plan for our lives, providing meaning and purpose to our suffering.
Conclusion
The Bible’s treatment of crying reveals the depth of God’s understanding of human nature and His compassionate response to our emotional lives. These fifty verses demonstrate that tears are not signs of spiritual weakness but expressions of authentic humanity that God both honors and uses for His purposes.
Whether we cry in sorrow, repentance, joy, prayer, or as part of our healing journey, Scripture assures us that our tears matter to God. They are collected, remembered, and transformed by a loving Father who draws near to the brokenhearted and promises ultimate restoration.
