“Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.”– Psalms 80:5 (KJV)
“You have fed us with the bread of tears. You have made us drink tears by the bucketful.”– Psalms 80:5 (NLT)
“You set us up for failure. You make us drink our own tears by the bucketful.”– Psalms 80:5 (MSG)
What Does Psalms 80:5 Mean?
The verse from Psalms 80:5 contains deep emotions expressed by the poet who speaks on behalf of God’s people. They feel surrounded by sorrow and are experiencing hardship. This verse metaphorically illustrates their pain and suffering by describing it as being fed “the bread of tears” and being made to drink tears in abundance. It emphasizes a feeling of despair and hopelessness, suggesting that the people of Israel have endured significant struggles leading them to emotional and spiritual distress.
This imagery of tears as bread conveys the message that instead of receiving blessings and nourishment from God, the Israelites are experiencing suffering. Tears represent their sorrow and strife, and the fact that they drink tears like water signifies that their anguish is a constant presence in their lives. They feel overwhelmed by their circumstances, which can resonate with many of us at different times. The truth is, sometimes life throws challenges our way, and it can feel as if we are drowning in our own tears and sorrows.