Tears are a language God understands. They can express sorrow, repentance, pain, and even joy. Throughout Scripture, we see how tears are not hidden from God—He sees every one and stores them like precious treasures. Whether you are mourning, praying, or rejoicing, the Bible reminds us that God is close to the brokenhearted and attentive to our cries. Here are encouraging Bible verses that speak to the depth of our tears and God’s response to them.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Comforting Others
God Sees Every Tear
In our deepest pain, it’s comforting to know that God sees our tears. He is not distant or unaware—He is close, compassionate, and attentive to our suffering. The Bible assures us that every tear we cry matters to Him. These verses reveal the intimate care of a God who never overlooks our pain but instead collects every tear as a sign of His love and remembrance.
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.”
2 Kings 20:5
“I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you…”
Psalm 34:15
“The Lord watches over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.”
Job 16:20
“My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God.”
Jeremiah 31:16
“But now this is what the Lord says: ‘Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you,’ says the Lord…”
Tears of Sorrow and Loss
Loss is a painful part of life, and tears often flow in seasons of grief. The Bible doesn’t ignore our sorrow but addresses it with honesty and hope. God offers comfort in our mourning and reminds us that we are not alone in our sadness. These Scriptures speak to the ache of loss and the healing presence of our loving Father.
John 11:35
“Then Jesus wept.”
Ecclesiastes 3:4
“A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.”
Psalm 6:6
“I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.”
Lamentations 3:49-50
“My tears flow endlessly; they will not stop until the Lord looks down from heaven and sees.”
Isaiah 25:8
“The Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people…”
Tears of Repentance
There are moments when our tears come from a heart broken by sin. The Bible honours sincere repentance, and God is quick to forgive when we come to Him in humility. These verses show how tears of repentance lead to forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration. God never despises a contrite heart.
Psalm 51:17
“The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.”
Joel 2:12
“That is why the Lord says, ‘Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.'”
Luke 7:38
“She knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair…”
James 4:9
“Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief…”
2 Corinthians 7:10
“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation…”
Jesus Understands Our Tears
Jesus, being fully human and fully God, experienced pain and loss. He understands our emotions and is present in our suffering. The Scriptures show that Jesus was not ashamed to weep and grieve. He identifies with our weaknesses and draws near with empathy and compassion when we cry.
Hebrews 4:15
“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do…”
Isaiah 53:3
“He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief…”
John 11:33
“When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled.”
Matthew 26:38
“He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.'”
Luke 22:44
“He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Eyes
God Comforts the Brokenhearted
Our God is a comforter. He draws near to those who are hurting and offers peace in the storm. In times of pain, He strengthens us and surrounds us with His presence. These Scriptures offer the promise that God is with us in every tear-filled night and that His comfort is greater than our sorrow.
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“He is the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others…”
Isaiah 66:13
“I will comfort you there in Jerusalem as a mother comforts her child.”
Matthew 5:4
“God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Revelation 7:17
“For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
Joy Comes After Tears
Though sorrow may endure for a season, God promises that joy will return. Our tears are not the end of the story. The Lord brings beauty from ashes, dancing from mourning, and songs from silence. These verses assure us that hope and healing follow every night of weeping when we place our trust in Him.
Psalm 30:5
“Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
John 16:20
“You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.”
Isaiah 61:3
“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning…”
Jeremiah 31:13
“The young women will dance for joy, and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy…”
Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain…”
Tears in Prayer and Intercession
There is great power in tear-filled prayers. When we cry out to God with our whole hearts, He listens and responds with grace. Tears often accompany our deepest intercessions, and the Bible honours those moments of earnest seeking. These verses remind us that God hears our cries and honours the tears we shed in prayer.
Hebrews 5:7
“While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears…”
Psalm 39:12
“Hear my prayer, O Lord! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears…”
Psalm 126:5
“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.”
Joel 1:13
“Come, spend the night in sackcloth, you ministers of my God. For there is no grain or wine… Weep before the altar of the Lord.”
Luke 19:41
“But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep.”