TEARS AND GOD’S HEART
In the Bible, tears hold deep spiritual significance, often revealing the inner workings of the human heart and God’s response to our pain. Whether they are tears of repentance, tears of mourning, or tears of joy, the Bible records various instances where tears illustrate the emotional connection between human beings and God. Tears are an intense and deeply personal expression of human emotion, often linked to sorrow, joy, repentance, or longing. In the Bible, tears are more than just a physical response to life’s challenges; they reveal the depth of the human spirit and our connection to God. Throughout Scripture, we see that God is not indifferent to our tears. Instead, He listens, understands, and responds with compassion and grace. Whether in times of grief, joy, or repentance, our tears touch God’s heart and draw His loving presence near.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ ( Revelation 7: 17 )
Etymology:
Hebrew
Roots for Tears: דִּמְעָה (Dim’ah): Means “tears” or “weeping,” used for sorrow and repentance. בָּכּוּ(Baku): Means “to weep” or “cry aloud,” often in mourning.
Greek
Roots for Tears: δάκρυον (Dakryon): Means “tears,” referring to sorrow or mourning. κλαίω (Klaio): Means “to weep” or “cry aloud” in grief.
I. The Significance of tears in the Bible:
Tears in the Bible often signify several things: sorrow, repentance, joy, or compassion. They are an expression of the heart’s cry before God, a reflection of vulnerability, or a response to divine presence. The Bible shows that God not only sees our tears but is also moved by them. In the Old and New Testaments, tears symbolize a variety of emotional experiences
1. Tears of Repentance:
Tears often reflect sorrow for sin and a desire for repentance. The Bible speaks of individuals who weep over their sin and return to God in humility and brokenness. Tears can be a sign of genuine repentance and the desire for forgiveness.
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. ”
( Psalm 51: 17 )
David’s Tears of Repentance
“I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. Away from me, all you who do wrong, for the LORD has heard my weeping. The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer
( Psalm 6: 6 -9 )
David expresses his sorrow and repentance over his sins, weeping as he seeks God’s forgiveness. His tears are a sign of deep remorse and a plea for mercy. This is a powerful example of tears as a response to guilt and the longing for God’ forgiveness
2. Tears of Sorrow:
Tears are also expressions of deep sorrow, grief, and mourning.
- David’s Grief and Plea for His Child’s Life
In the Old Testament, when the Israelites faced loss or hardship, their sorrow was often expressed through weeping. David, in his anguish over his sick child, fasted and wept. He pleaded with God for the child’s life, spending the nights lying on the ground in sackcloth, a symbol of deep mourning and humility. This act of grief reflects the emotional depth and heartfelt prayer that accompanied the struggles and losses faced by God’s people during times of distress
“David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground.”
( 2 Samuel 12: 16 )
3. Tears of Regret
Tears of regret are often born out of the pain of recognizing past mistakes, wrong decisions, or missed opportunities. In the Bible, regret is closely associated with repentance—a deep sorrow for sin and the desire to turn away from it.
- David’s Regret and Repentance
King David after his sin with Bathsheba and the consequences that followed. expresses his sorrow and repentance for his actions.
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
( Psalm 51: 1 -2 )
David’s tears were not just tears of sorrow, but tears of remorse and a desire for forgiveness, acknowledging the depth of his wrongdoing and his need for God’s mercy.
- Peter’s Regret
Peter after he denied Jesus. When Peter realized he had fulfilled Jesus’ prediction of denying Him three times, he was filled with regret and sorrow:
“And he went outside and wept bitterly.” ( Luke 22: 62 )
Peter’s tears reflect not just the weight of his denial but also the deep sorrow and remorse he felt for betraying his Lord. These tears of regret, however, paved the way for his eventual restoration and renewed purpose in Christ.
Tears of regret in the Bible often serve as a turning point, leading to repentance, restoration, and a renewed relationship with God.
4. Tears of Compassion:
Tears also signify empathy and compassion.
- Jeremiah’s Tears of Prophetic Lament
“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 9: 1 )
The prophet Jeremiah is known as the “weeping prophet” because of his sorrow over the coming judgment on Israel. His tears symbolize his deep grief for the people who would suffer because of their disobedience to God. His emotional response to the fate of his people shows how tears can reflect deep intercession and compassion.
5· Tears as a Sign of God’s Care:
The Bible assures that God sees and cares about the tears of His people. This suggests that God is intimately aware of every sorrow and collects the tears of His people, implying His deep care and love.
Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll— are they not in your record? ( Psalm 56: 8 )
6. Tears as a Form of Prayer:
Sometimes tears are seen as a form of prayer. In times of intense distress, when words fail, tears become a powerful language before God.
My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” ( Psalm 42: 3 )
- Hannah’s Tears of Desperation and Prayer
“Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the LORD’s temple. In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly.” ( 1 Samuel 1: 9 -10 )
Hannah’s tears were born out of years of barrenness and a deep longing for a child. She poured out her heart to God in prayer, and her tears became an expression of her desperation and trust in God’s ability to answer her plea. Eventually, God answered her prayer, and she gave birth to Samuel.
7. The Promise of Comfort:
God promises comfort for those who mourn.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ( Matthew 5: 4 )
This is a reassurance that tears are not in vain, and God will bring healing and peace to those who suffer.
The Prodigal Son’s Return ( Tears of Reconciliation )
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” ( Luke 15: 20 -24 )
II. The impact of Tears on God:
The Bible reveals that tears have a significant impact on God. While God is omniscient and all-knowing, the emotional responses of His people — including their tears — matter deeply to Him. God is not indifferent to human suffering or sorrow, and the Bible provides clear evidence that He cares deeply about the tears of His people.
1. God Sees and Cares About Tears
“Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll—are they not in your record?” ( Psalm 56: 8 )
This verse suggests that God keeps track of every tear. The psalmist is essentially saying that God sees their suffering and sorrow and that their tears are not forgotten. The idea of God “recording” the tears emphasizes His compassion and deep care.
2. God Collects Our Tears
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” ( Psalm 34: 18 )
In this verse, God’s nearness to the brokenhearted and those in despair is highlighted. His response to tears is not distant or detached; He is close and offers comfort and salvation. The emotional pain experienced by His people moves Him to action, and He responds with care.
3. God Responds to Repentance and Sorrow
“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. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the LORD.'” ( 2 Kings 20: 5 )
Here, God acknowledges King Hezekiah’s tears and his heartfelt prayer. His tears of sorrow and repentance prompted God to show mercy and grant him healing. This demonstrates that God responds to genuine sorrow with compassion.
4. Jesus Wept with Compassion
“Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” ( John 11: 35 )
In the shortest verse in the Bible, we see Jesus’ deep emotional reaction to the death of His friend Lazarus. Jesus’ tears are a sign of His compassion and empathy. Even though He knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead, Jesus still felt the pain of the people around Him and wept in solidarity with their grief.
5. God Will Wipe Away Every Tear
“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 )
This verse points to the future hope that God will ultimately bring comfort and healing. The tears of His people will be wiped away, and there will be no more suffering. This highlights that while God acknowledges and cares for the tears of His people, He also promises ultimate restoration and the end of pain.
6. God’s Empathy for His People’s Pain
“In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.”
( Isaiah 63: 9 )
This verse speaks of God’s empathy for His people’s suffering. When His people weep and experience distress, God also feels the pain and responds with love, mercy, and action. It shows that God is not distant or removed from human suffering; rather, He intimately shares in their pain and responds in kindness.
III. Tears are signs of faith and devotion
Tears of Love:
Tears can also express deep love and gratitude. The sinful woman washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, showing both repentance and profound love for His forgiveness.
“Her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown.” ( Luke 7: 47 )
Tears of Joy and Hope:
Not all tears are linked to sadness. The Bible also speaks of tears of joy and hope, especially when God’s promises are fulfilled. says, “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” Tears in these contexts reflect the joy of deliverance or the anticipation of God’s work in one’s life.
“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” ( Psalm 126: 5 -6 )
This passage speaks to the idea that even in times of sorrow or hardship (symbolized by sowing in tears), there is hope and a promise of joy and deliverance in the future, symbolized by the harvest that follows. Additionally, in the New Testament, the apostle Paul also mentions joy amidst suffering.
“Yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” ( 2 Corinthians 7: 9 -10 )
This shows that even sorrow, when aligned with God’s will, can lead to joy and hope through repentance and the experience of His salvation.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ( Romans 8: 22 -23 )
“Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” ( Psalm 30: 5 )
Tears, in these biblical contexts, symbolize not just sorrow but a deeper trust in God’s promises and the anticipation of His work in our lives, leading to ultimate joy.