30 Powerful bible verses about crying (Full Commentary)

Today we will talk about bible verses about crying. Crying is a natural response to our emotions, and the Bible acknowledges this. Whether we cry out of joy, sorrow, or pain, we can find comfort in Scripture. It reminds us that God sees our tears and holds them close. As we explore these verses together, let’s prepare our hearts to receive His messages of hope, love, and healing. May we remember that it is okay to feel, to express our emotions, and to lean on our Creator during challenging times.

Bible Verses About Crying

Comfort in Mourning

We often experience sorrow in our lives, whether from loss or heartache. During these times, we can find solace in the Bible’s words. They remind us that God is near to the brokenhearted and will comfort us in our mourning. We should not shy away from our tears; instead, we can embrace the emotions that remind us we are alive and loved. The verses we look at remind us that our grief is seen and validated by the Lord who knows our hearts.

Psalm 34:18

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18

Matthew 5:4

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4

Isaiah 61:3

“…to give 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.” – Isaiah 61:3

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.’” – Revelation 21:4

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“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…” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

The Expression of Emotion

Crying is a natural expression of our emotions, and it serves as a release for what we carry inside. As we navigate life’s ups and downs, we can affirm that expressing our feelings through tears is perfectly okay. The Bible acknowledges our emotions, allowing us to connect with God in our vulnerable moments. Those times of crying can lead to profound healing and restoration in our souls, as God invites us to pour our hearts before Him.

Psalm 6:6-7

“I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.” – Psalm 6:6-7

Psalm 39:12

“Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; do not be silent at my tears; for I am a stranger with You, a sojourner as all my fathers were.” – Psalm 39:12

John 11:35

“Jesus wept.” – John 11:35

Psalm 56:8

“Record my lament; list my tears on Your scroll—are they not in Your record?” – Psalm 56:8

James 4:9

“Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.” – James 4:9

God’s Responding Love

No matter the circumstances that bring about our tears, we can be assured that God responds to our cries with love and compassion. When we cry, He listens. The Bible illustrates how He doesn’t just see our tears, but He actively cares for us and provides comfort. As we read these verses, let’s lean into the truth that our Heavenly Father is waiting with open arms to embrace us during our hardest moments. It is in these vulnerable times that we can draw even closer to His heart.

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.” – Psalm 30:5

1 Peter 5:7

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7

Lamentations 3:22-23

“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.” – Lamentations 3:22-23

Isaiah 40:29-31

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” – Isaiah 40:29-31

Psalm 147:3

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3

Healing Through Tears

We find healing in the midst of our tears. When we cry, we open ourselves up to transformation. Our tears can wash away pain and hurt, clearing the path for God to do a new thing in our lives. The Bible shows us that while we may go through suffering, it can lead us toward healing and the restoration of our hearts. Let us trust in the process, knowing that God uses our tears to bring about emotional and spiritual wholeness.

Psalm 126:5

“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” – Psalm 126:5

Romans 12:12

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” – Romans 12:12

2 Chronicles 7:14

“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

Psalms 22:24

“For He has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden His face from him but has listened to his cry for help.” – Psalms 22:24

2 Timothy 1:7

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

Crying in Prayer

When we pray, our tears can be a form of worship, presenting our honest selves before God. Crying during prayer can connect us deeply with our Creator and open up a conversation that is raw and sincere. We can surrender our burdens and fears, knowing that the Lord invites us to do so. Prayer is not only about words but also about the expression of our hearts, and our tears can speak volumes when we find it hard to verbalize our feelings. The Bible encourages us to approach God with confidence, even in our most tearful moments, knowing He welcomes us as we are.

Psalm 18:6

“In my distress, I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ears.” – Psalm 18:6

Romans 8:26

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” – Romans 8:26

Hebrews 4:16

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16

Psalm 55:17

“Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.” – Psalm 55:17

1 Samuel 1:10

“In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.” – 1 Samuel 1:10

Tears of Joy

Not all crying is about sadness; sometimes, our tears reflect joy! We experience moments filled with happiness and gratitude where our hearts overflow, leading us to tears. The Bible beautifully captures this truth that our tears can also be a celebration of life’s blessings. In these moments, we embrace joyous tears as reminders of God’s goodness in our lives. It’s essential to recognize that both sorrow and joy can coexist, and both lead us closer to God’s heart.

Luke 19:37

“When He came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.” – Luke 19:37

Psalm 126:3

“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” – Psalm 126:3

Acts 2:28

“You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence.” – Acts 2:28

Nehemiah 8:10

“The joy of the LORD is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10

1 Chronicles 16:34

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” – 1 Chronicles 16:34

Crying as a Sign of Growth

In our Christian lives, crying can signify growth, both in faith and character. God often uses our tears to mold us into who He wants us to be. Many biblical figures went through this transformation and emerged stronger. When we cry, it often leads us to reflect, seek God more fervently, and develop resilience. We can rejoice in knowing that our tears are often part of our spiritual journey, transforming our sorrow into something beautiful and enlightening.

Job 30:25

“Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor?” – Job 30:25

Psalm 119:136

“Streams of tears flow from my eyes for your law is not obeyed.” – Psalm 119:136

Matthew 26:75

“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.” – Matthew 26:75

Luke 7:37-38

“A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears.” – Luke 7:37-38

James 5:16

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16

Crying as a Call to Action

Our tears can also move us to action, prompting us to care for others and be witnesses of compassion in the world. When we cry, we may recognize the pain in our surroundings and feel God’s call to respond. The Bible encourages us to let our tears not only be a personal lament but a catalyst for change—helping others understand they are not alone. By learning from our experiences, we can support those in distress and engage in meaningful acts of kindness and service.

Isaiah 58:10

“And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noon day.” – Isaiah 58:10

Proverbs 21:13

“Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.” – Proverbs 21:13

Matthew 25:40

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.’” – Matthew 25:40

Luke 10:33-34

“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.” – Luke 10:33-34

1 John 3:17

“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” – 1 John 3:17

Final Thoughts

Crying is a natural part of being human, and the Bible offers many verses that validate our emotions. Whether it’s through mourning, expressing joy, or recognizing tears as growth, we can find comfort in knowing that God is with us in every tear we shed. It’s essential for us to remember that expressing our feelings through crying is not a sign of weakness but rather a reflection of our humanity and connection to God. May we always feel free to bring our tears to Him, knowing He understands, comforts, and loves us profoundly. Let’s cherish our seasons of crying, knowing they can lead us to deeper faith, healing, and compassion for others.

As we hold these verses dear in our hearts, may we seek to comfort ourselves and others in moments of grief, allowing God’s love to shine through our shared experiences. We are never alone in our struggles, and together we can encourage one another in faith, hope, and healing amidst the tears.

Further Reading

30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)

30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)

30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)

30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)

4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4

Prayer Request Form