Ever found yourself tearing up during worship and wondered if it’s okay? The Bible is full of examples where emotions overflowed during worship, and tears were seen as part of connecting deeply with God. Crying can be a way of expressing our devotion, surrender, or even healing. Let’s look at how Scripture views emotional worship.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Being True To Yourself
What Does The Bible Say About Crying During Worship
Psalm 42:3
“My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?””
This verse portrays the psalmist’s deep sorrow and longing for God. It recognizes that tears can often accompany worship, as we pour out our hearts before God in moments of distress and yearning.
In times of intense emotional connection with God, it is natural for tears to flow. These tears can be a manifestation of our deep spiritual hunger and our dependency on God’s presence in our lives.
Psalm 126:5
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”
This verse highlights the transformative power of worship through tears. It acknowledges that when we sow our worship with tears and vulnerability, there is a promise of a harvest filled with songs of joy.
When we bring our sorrows and burdens before God in worship, He works to turn our mourning into dancing and replaces our tears with songs of joy. It is in our willingness to be vulnerable and express our deepest emotions that we can experience the fullness of God’s comfort and restoration.
Lamentations 2:11
“My eyes fail from weeping, I am in torment within; my heart is poured out on the ground because my people are destroyed, because children and infants faint in the streets of the city.”
This verse demonstrates the deep distress and anguish that can lead to crying during worship. It illustrates the genuine sorrow and empathy that we can feel when we witness the brokenness and suffering of others.
When we cry tears of compassion and intercession, it is an act of aligning our hearts with God’s heart, a cry for justice and healing in a broken world. As we bring our tears before God, He hears our pleas and can bring about transformation and renewal.
Psalm 56:8
“Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record?”
This verse assures us that God is attentive to our tears. He sees our suffering and sorrow, and not a single tear goes unnoticed by Him.
Our tears are precious to God, and He keeps a record of each one. They serve as a reminder that God is intimately aware of our pain, and He is present to comfort us in our times of weeping.
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. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.”
In this verse, the psalmist expresses the depths of their distress and overwhelming sorrow. They are consumed by sorrow to the point of tearful exhaustion.
Crying during worship is an expression of our vulnerability before God. It is an authentic response to the trials and challenges we face, and it allows us to bring our burdens before God, seeking His comfort and strength.
Luke 7:38
“As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them.”
This verse depicts a powerful display of worship through tears. A woman, overcome with gratitude and repentance, weeps at Jesus’ feet, washing them with her tears and anointing them with perfume.
Her tears served as an expression of her deep love and devotion to Jesus. Likewise, in our worship, tears can represent our heartfelt adoration and surrender to God, as we pour out our love and reverence for Him.
Psalm 126:6
“Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”
This verse offers a promise of restoration and rejoicing for those who sow in tears. It emphasizes that even in our seasons of weeping and sowing, there is hope for a future harvest filled with songs of joy.
When we allow our tears to water the seeds of our worship, God faithfully brings forth a bountiful harvest of joy, renewal, and spiritual growth. Our tears are not in vain but are catalysts for God’s transformative work in our lives.
Psalm 30:5
“Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
This verse acknowledges that weeping and sorrow may endure for a season, but the promise of joy and rejoicing is on the horizon. It reminds us that our tears are not everlasting and that God’s steadfast love will ultimately bring about a dawn of rejoicing.
Through our tears, we can have hope, trusting that God will turn our sorrow into joy and replace our mourning with dancing. We can find comfort and assurance in God’s faithfulness, knowing that He is working all things together for our good.
Jeremiah 31:9
“They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.”
This verse speaks of a restoration that is preceded by weeping. It conveys a picture of God’s compassionate guidance, leading His people to a place of refreshment and security.
Just as God leads His people through weeping to ultimately experience His restoration, our tears can be a part of our journey towards spiritual wholeness. In worship, God can use our tears to guide us to places of deep healing and intimacy with Him.
Psalm 126:1-2
“When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’
This verse celebrates the restoration and joy that come after a season of weeping and lament. It portrays a sense of awe and amazement at the marvelous work of God.
When we bring our tears as an offering in worship, God has the power to transform our mourning into laughter, our sighs into songs of joy. Our tears become a testament to the great things God has done in our lives, drawing others to His goodness and faithfulness.
John 11:35
“Jesus wept.”
This verse reveals the humanity of Jesus, showcasing His empathy and compassion. Jesus wept in response to the death of Lazarus, even though He knew He would raise him from the dead.
In our worship, we can find solace in knowing that Jesus understands and empathizes with our tears. He is intimately acquainted with our sorrows and is a source of comfort, offering His tender presence to heal and restore.
Romans 12:15
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
This verse encourages us to enter into the joys and sorrows of others. It reminds us to extend compassion and empathy, actively participating in the lives of those around us.
When we cry during worship, it can also be an expression of intercession and solidarity with those who are hurting. It aligns our hearts with God’s heart for the brokenness in the world and motivates us to join in the work of comforting and supporting others.
Psalm 126:3
“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
This verse acknowledges that God has done marvelous things on our behalf, and it elicits an overflowing response of joy within us.
Mourning and weeping in worship allow us to recognize the goodness and faithfulness of God, creating a deep sense of gratitude and joy in our hearts. Our tears become a testimony to God’s transformative work, filling us with abundant joy and praise.
2 Corinthians 7:10
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
This verse distinguishes between two types of sorrow: godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. It highlights that godly sorrow leads to repentance, while worldly sorrow is unproductive and detrimental.
When we cry during worship, it can be a result of godly sorrow, a deep sense of remorse and conviction for our sins. Such tears become a catalyst for genuine repentance and transformation, leading us to experience the salvation and freedom found in Christ.
Psalm 30:11-12
“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.”
This verse testifies to the transformative power of God in turning our sorrow into joy. It showcases God’s ability to bring about a significant change in our lives.
When we weep in worship, we invite God to turn our mourning into dancing, to replace our heaviness with garments of praise. Our tears become a stepping stone towards a renewed spirit, enabling us to joyfully and fervently praise God forever.
James 4:9
“Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.”
This verse emphasizes the need for genuine repentance and sorrow over our sins. It encourages a change of heart that leads to spiritual transformation.
Crying during worship can be a response to the conviction of our wrongdoing and a humble recognition of our need for God’s forgiveness and mercy. It prompts us to turn away from our sins and seek a renewed relationship with God.
Hebrews 5:7
“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 reveals the intensity of Jesus’ prayers and the fervent cries and tears He offered to God. It demonstrates His dependence on the Father and His reverence in seeking divine intervention.
In our worship, tears can signify our earnest prayers and petitions to God. As we approach Him with reverent submission, our tears become a powerful expression of our reliance on His saving power and mercy.
Nehemiah 1:4
“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days, I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”
This verse portrays Nehemiah’s response upon hearing about the broken condition of Jerusalem. He wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed, seeking God’s guidance and provision.
When we cry during worship, it can serve as a catalyst for intercession and spiritual discernment. Like Nehemiah, our tears can lead us to a posture of prayer and fasting, seeking God’s wisdom and direction in the midst of challenging circumstances.
Psalm 34:17-18
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
This verse assures us of God’s attentive response to the cries of the righteous. It promises deliverance and close proximity to those who are brokenhearted and crushed in spirit.
When tears flow during worship, they are not in vain but are heard by the Lord. He draws near to us in our pain and offers comfort, healing, and liberation from our troubles. Our tears become a channel through which God’s love and compassion flow.
Psalm 80:5
“You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.”
This verse acknowledges that tears can often be part of the human experience, likening them to the “bread” and “drinks” of our lives.
Our tears can serve as a reminder that life is often marked by difficulties and trials. However, in the midst of our tears, we can trust that God sustains us, providing the nourishment and strength we need to endure. Our tears become a testimony to God’s faithfulness and provision even in the most challenging seasons.
Psalm 116:8
“For you, LORD, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.”
This verse celebrates the deliverance and protection that the Lord provides. It acknowledges God’s ability to rescue us from death, soothe our tears, and keep our feet from stumbling.
In our worship, tears can be an acknowledgement of God’s faithfulness and deliverance in our lives. They testify to the transformative power of God, who lifts us from the depths of despair and guides us on a path of steadfast hope and victory.
Psalm 55:6-8
“I said, ‘Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.'”
This verse expresses the psalmist’s longing for escape from distress and turmoil. They desire to find solace and refuge apart from the difficulties of life.
When we cry during worship, it can be a way of expressing our longing for God’s peace and refuge. Our tears become a plea for God’s presence to calm the storms of life and provide the solace and rest our souls desperately need.
Psalm 126:4
“Restore our fortunes, LORD, like streams in the Negev.”
This verse is a prayer for restoration, using the analogy of the desert blossoming with streams of water. It appeals to God for a transformation of circumstances.
When we weep in worship, it can be an expression of our heartfelt plea for God’s restoration in our lives. It is a prayer that God would bring forth abundance and blessings in the midst of desolation, turning our tears into joyful streams of healing and redemption.
Psalm 51:17
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”
This verse speaks of the significance of a broken and contrite heart as an offering to God. It highlights that God values and accepts a heart that is humble and repentant.
Crying during worship is often a reflection of a broken spirit, a heartfelt acknowledgment of our need for God’s forgiveness and mercy. It is in this state of brokenness that we find God’s grace and restoration, experiencing His unwavering love and acceptance.