Old Testament
Psalms 56:8
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 7th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, the psalmist expresses a deep sense of being known and cared for by God.
- Author
- David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and others
- Written
- Around 1000-500 BC
- Genre
- Poetry and worship
- Original Audience
- Worshipers of Israel
You count my wanderings; put my tears into your bottle — are they not in your book?
Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
Plain Meaning
The writer is telling God that He has kept track of every hardship and every tear. 'Thou tellest my wanderings' means God has counted every time the writer was driven from place to place as a fugitive. 'Put thou my tears into thy bottle' is a request: save my tears, treat them as something worth keeping. 'Are they not in thy book?' asks whether God has written down all this suffering — the expected answer is yes. Together, the verse says: God sees, God counts, and God remembers every bit of this pain.
Read It in Context
David is surrounded by enemies who watch his every move and twist his words against him (verses 5-6). He is crying out to God for help. This verse sits between his description of those enemies and his confidence that God will act on his behalf.
The full Clear view adds what to notice, common misreadings, and the passage that best explains this one — for Psalms 56:8 and any verse in the Bible.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the psalmist expresses a deep sense of being known and cared for by God. The imagery of God counting wanderings and collecting tears in a bottle suggests that God is attentive to our struggles and sorrows. It highlights the idea that every moment of pain and every tear shed is significant to God. The mention of a 'book' implies that God keeps a record of our experiences, showing that He values our lives and the challenges we face. This verse reassures believers that they are not alone in their suffering; God is aware of their trials and is intimately involved in their lives. It reflects a relationship of trust, where the psalmist finds comfort in knowing that God sees and remembers their pain, offering hope and solace in times of distress.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Psalms 56:8 to your life
When facing difficult times, remember that God sees your struggles and cares deeply about your pain. Take comfort in knowing that your tears and hardships are not unnoticed. Share your feelings with God in prayer, trusting that He understands and is with you through every challenge.
Curated for this public verse page. Psalms Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Psalms 56:8 mean?
Psalms 56:8 expresses the idea that God is aware of our struggles and sorrows. The verse uses imagery of counting wanderings and collecting tears to show that God cares deeply about our pain and keeps a record of our experiences.
What is the significance of tears in Psalms 56:8?
In Psalms 56:8, tears symbolize emotional pain and suffering. The verse suggests that God values our tears and acknowledges our hardships, indicating that He is attentive to our struggles.
What does 'put my tears into your bottle' mean in Psalms 56:8?
The phrase 'put my tears into your bottle' in Psalms 56:8 signifies God's care and attention to our emotional pain. It illustrates the idea that God collects and remembers our sorrows, showing that they matter to Him.
How can I apply Psalms 56:8 to my life?
You can apply Psalms 56:8 by remembering that God sees your struggles and cares about your pain. In difficult times, share your feelings with God in prayer, trusting that He understands and is with you.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.