Sorrow in the Bible
Sorrow is a deep human emotion, and the Bible never condemns it. The Psalms overflow with laments in which the soul pours out its pain before God without mask or false composure. John 11:35 contains the shortest verse in Scripture: "Jesus wept." Standing before the tomb of Lazarus, the Son of God Himself shed tears, thereby sanctifying human grief. God does not ask us to pretend that all is well; He invites us to bring Him our pain just as it is. Biblical sorrow is distinct from despair: the one who weeps before God still believes that He is present. Psalm 30:5 promises, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Ecclesiastes 3:4 reminds us that there is "a time to weep, and a time to laugh." In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declares in Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Sorrow, then, is not a lack of faith; it can become the doorway to a deeper encounter with God. Psalm 34:18 affirms, "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart." Faith does not erase suffering, but it adds the divine presence to it. In time, God turns mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11). The essential thing is to keep coming to Him in the very midst of the pain.
Key verse snapshot
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
Bible Verses about Sorrow
6 Scripture passages on this theme
Revelation 21:4
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
2 Corinthians 7:10
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
Genesis 3:16
“Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.”
Lamentations 1:12
“Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.”
Philippians 2:27
“For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.”
Revelation 18:7
“How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.”
Frequently Asked Questions
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Apply These Verses to Your Life
Scripture comes alive when we meditate on it and apply it daily. Read these verses in full context, pray for understanding, and ask God how they speak to your situation with sorrow.
- Author:
- The Lord Will Editorial Team
- Reviewed by:
- Ugo Candido
- Last updated:
- Category:
- Scripture Guidance