“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5)
In life, everyone eventually experiences a night of tears shed in secret. People often say we must appear strong, but reality rarely permits only strength. There are times when, despite our efforts, problems remain unresolved. At the loss of someone we love, or when life takes a turn we did not choose, we quietly break down and weep.
But Scripture does not see tears as mere emotional expression. Psalm 126:5 tells us that tears are seeds. In other words, the tears we shed today are not lost—they are being sown as seeds that will one day yield a harvest of joy. No suffering is wasted, no pain is meaningless. God promises that even our tears become material for His glory.
Psalm 126 was written in the context of Israel’s return from Babylonian exile. The people of God had lost their nation, seen the temple destroyed, and lived as captives for decades. When they were finally allowed to return to Jerusalem, their joy was indescribable. Yet the land they returned to was in ruins. Life remained difficult, the city lay in waste, and walls still needed rebuilding. It was at this crossroads of restoration that the psalmist sang this psalm.
They looked back with gratitude, faced their present suffering with honesty, and sang of future hope. At the center of this expression stands today’s verse: “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” This is not merely a promise of recovery. It is a deep assurance that no tear is wasted, and a confession of faith that in God’s time, every sorrow is transformed into meaning.
God Conceals Seeds Within Our Tears
This verse redefines the meaning of tears. We often see them as signs of weakness, failure, or despair. But God calls them seeds. Seeds are buried in the ground and must decay before they bear fruit. Though they may appear to vanish and produce no immediate result, they initiate a cycle of life within.
God remembers our tears. Psalm 56:8 says, “You have kept count of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle.” He does not overlook even a single drop. Every unseen tear, every unrecorded sob is fully known to Him—and within them, He prepares grace.
What kind of harvest comes from these tearful seeds? It is not mere compensation. God uses our tears to refine our hearts, shape our character, and strengthen our faith. The times we cry are often the very times we are being conformed to His image. In fact, we tend to seek God more deeply when we are broken than when all is going well.
Sometimes, tears are a more honest expression of faith than words. In the silent cries that words cannot contain, God works most clearly. And the seeds of faith sown in that place will, in time, bear the fruit of joy. That joy is not the result of tears ending—it comes because those tears were offered to God.
Trust the God Who Reaps in Joy
Scripture never ignores our reality. It confronts pain, tears, wounds, and despair with honesty. But it also declares that these are not the whole story. Psalm 126 closes with this bold statement: “Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” The word “will” is a promise.
God responds to the tears of those who trust in Him. The day of joyful reaping may be delayed, but it is never denied. God works in His own perfect timing—different from ours, yet always faithful. His promise is sure.
Often, we are discouraged because we are trapped in the moment called “now.” But faith believes that the seed is growing even when it is invisible. Even when we see no external change, something is already growing within. And that fruit will be greater, deeper, and more glorious than we ever expected. The place where tears were sown will become the place where God brings a harvest of joy.
Ultimately, this verse is God’s declaration that “this is not the end.” And those who believe that promise can hold on to hope, even in the midst of pain. That is faith.
Prayer begins in tears, but God’s answers return in joy. Obedience may cost us something, but its outcome is abundant life. God never forgets our tears or labor. He remembers every act of faithfulness and prepares a reward of glory. Psalm 126:5 is more than a word of recovery—it is a covenant from heaven, given to those who remain faithful in suffering.
So to you, the one sowing in tears today—do not abandon your post. God will fill your hands with joy. That is His promise.
Maeil Scripture Journal | One Verse a Day
