Psalms 56:8

KJV

¶ Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: [are they] not in thy book?

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou tellest {H5608}{H8804)} my wanderings {H5112}: put {H7760}{H8798)} thou my tears {H1832} into thy bottle {H4997}: are they not in thy book {H5612}?

Complete Jewish Bible

You have kept count of my wanderings; store my tears in your water-skin -aren't they already recorded in your book?

Berean Standard Bible

You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle— are they not in Your book?

American Standard Version

Thou numberest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle; Are they not in thy book?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 56:8 is a profound declaration of David's unwavering trust in God's intimate knowledge and compassionate remembrance of his suffering. Amidst his perilous "wanderings" and distress, David appeals to God, confident that every tear shed and every hardship endured is not only observed but meticulously recorded and cherished by the Almighty, assuring him of divine care and ultimate vindication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 56 is a "Michtam of David," a "golden psalm" or a psalm of lasting significance, composed during a period of intense personal danger. The superscription explicitly states it was written "when the Philistines took him in Gath." This psalm is a lament, yet it is deeply interwoven with expressions of faith and trust. David begins by crying out for mercy from his relentless enemies ([Psalm 56:1-2](/psalms/56-1 "Psalm 56:1-2 - David's Plea for Mercy")). He then transitions to a declaration of trust in God despite his fear ([Psalm 56:3-4](/psalms/56-3 "Psalm 56:3-4 - Trust Amidst Fear")), before returning to describe the constant threats and malicious intentions of his adversaries ([Psalm 56:5-7](/psalms/56-5 "Psalm 56:5-7 - The Malice of Enemies")). Verse 8, therefore, serves as a powerful pivot, moving from the immediate threat to a deep assurance of God's intimate awareness and preservation of his pain, setting the stage for his renewed commitment to praise God for deliverance ([Psalm 56:9-13](/psalms/56-9 "Psalm 56:9-13 - Vows of Praise and Deliverance")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Psalm 56 is crucial: David's flight from King Saul, which led him to seek refuge in Gath, a Philistine city, under the guise of madness ([1 Samuel 21:10-15](/1_samuel/21-10 "1 Samuel 21:10-15 - David Flees to Gath")). This was a period of extreme vulnerability and fear for David, as he was surrounded by enemies who sought his life. His "wanderings" refer to his exilic, unsettled life, constantly on the run. The cultural reference to "tear bottles" (lachrymatories) was a known practice in the ancient Near East, where small vials were used to collect tears as a symbol of grief, often placed in tombs. This custom underscores the value placed on sorrow and the desire for its remembrance, a sentiment David powerfully invokes in his plea to God. The concept of a "book" where events are recorded was also common, reflecting ancient administrative and historical practices, here elevated to a divine, meticulous record-keeping.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Omniscience and Intimate Care**. God is not a distant deity but one who is intimately aware of every step, every suffering, and every tear of His children. This speaks to His personal involvement in human lives, even in the midst of profound distress. Secondly, the theme of **God's Remembrance of Suffering** is central. The imagery of collecting tears and recording wanderings emphasizes that no pain, no injustice, no sorrow goes unnoticed or forgotten by God. This provides immense comfort and hope, suggesting that suffering is not meaningless but held in divine memory. Finally, the verse touches upon the theme of **Divine Justice and Vindication**. The idea of God's "book" implies a meticulous record, not just of suffering, but also of faithfulness and ultimately, of justice. This foreshadows a future where God will indeed act on behalf of His suffering ones, as seen in passages like [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wanderings (Hebrew, נוֹדִי, _nodi'_):** This noun, derived from the verb נוּד (_nud_), meaning "to wander, to flee, to lament," carries a rich semantic range. It refers not merely to physical displacement or exile, but also to the emotional and spiritual distress associated with such a state. It encompasses David's unsettled life, his forced exiles, and the lamentations that accompany his desperate circumstances. It highlights the instability and vulnerability of his life on the run.
* **Bottle (Hebrew, נֹאד, _nod_):** While literally a leather skin-bottle used for liquids, in this poetic context, "bottle" refers to a lachrymatory or tear bottle. This is a powerful metaphor, transforming a common utilitarian object into a sacred vessel. It signifies the collection and preservation of something precious. The image conveys the idea that God not only observes tears but actively collects and cherishes them, valuing every expression of sorrow from His people.
* **Book (Hebrew, סֵפֶר, _sepher_):** This word denotes a scroll, document, or written record. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings and officials kept meticulous records. Here, it refers to a divine ledger or register. It implies God's perfect memory and His comprehensive knowledge of every event, every suffering, and every act of faithfulness. This "book" is a symbol of divine omniscience and the certainty of God's ultimate justice and remembrance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou tellest my wanderings:"** This clause declares God's complete and intimate knowledge of David's every movement, every exile, and every hardship. The verb "tellest" (סָפַר, _sapar_) can mean to count, recount, or number. It implies a meticulous accounting, not just a casual observation. God is not merely aware of David's plight; He has a precise and detailed record of every step of his tumultuous journey and every sorrow that accompanies it. This brings comfort, knowing that no suffering is hidden from God's eyes.
* **"put thou my tears into thy bottle:"** This is a poetic and deeply personal plea. David asks God to collect and preserve his tears, using the vivid imagery of a tear bottle. This is not a literal request for God to physically collect tears, but a fervent prayer that God would remember, value, and hold precious every tear shed in his distress. It underscores the profound empathy of God, who does not dismiss human suffering but cherishes its expressions as a sacred offering.
* **"[are they] not in thy book?"**: This is a rhetorical question, emphatically affirming that David's tears and wanderings are indeed recorded in God's divine register. It reinforces the theme of God's perfect memory and meticulous record-keeping. It serves as a powerful statement of faith, expressing David's conviction that his suffering is not forgotten but is part of God's comprehensive knowledge, which will ultimately lead to justice and vindication.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 56:8 is rich in **Imagery**, particularly with the vivid portrayal of "tear bottles" and God's "book." The "tear bottle" (**Lachrymatory Imagery**) evokes a tangible, ancient custom, transforming the abstract concept of divine remembrance into a concrete, emotionally resonant image. It suggests that God handles human sorrow with the same care and reverence that one might collect a precious substance. The "book" (**Record-Keeping Imagery**) symbolizes God's perfect memory and meticulous attention to detail, assuring the suffering individual that their experiences are not lost to time or indifference. The phrase "[are they] not in thy book?" is a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, designed not to elicit an answer but to affirm a truth with greater force – that God indeed remembers every tear and every trial. Furthermore, the verse employs **Anthropomorphism** by attributing human actions (telling, putting into a bottle, keeping a book) to God, making His divine attributes of omniscience and compassion more relatable and comforting to the human experience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 56:8 speaks profoundly to the character of God as one who is intimately involved in the lives of His people, particularly in their suffering. It underscores His omniscience, not as a cold, detached knowledge, but as a compassionate awareness that leads to active remembrance and care. The verse assures us that our pain is not meaningless or forgotten; rather, it is precious in God's sight and meticulously recorded in His divine memory. This divine remembrance is a precursor to divine action, promising ultimate comfort and justice for those who suffer for righteousness' sake. It is a testament to God's covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that He truly sees, hears, and remembers the cries of His children.

* [Malachi 3:16](/malachi/3-16 "Malachi 3:16 - The Book of Remembrance")
* [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - God Wipes Away Every Tear")
* [Psalm 139:2-3](/psalms/139-2 "Psalm 139:2-3 - God's Omniscience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 56:8 offers profound solace to the contemporary believer navigating life's inevitable "wanderings" – periods of uncertainty, grief, persecution, or profound distress. In a world that often feels indifferent to individual suffering, this verse reminds us that we are never truly alone or forgotten. Our tears, often shed in solitude and despair, are not wasted; they are precious to God, collected and remembered in His divine "bottle" and "book." This truth encourages us to be authentic in our pain, to lament before God without reservation, knowing that He fully comprehends and validates our sorrow. It cultivates a deep trust in God's sovereign care, even when circumstances seem overwhelming, fostering resilience and hope. It invites us to cast our anxieties upon Him, confident that He sees, He cares, and He will ultimately bring comfort and justice, transforming our tears into joy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of God collecting your tears in a bottle change your perspective on your moments of deep sorrow or frustration?**
* **In what "wanderings" or periods of instability in your life do you most need to remember that God is meticulously aware of your every step?**
* **How does the assurance that your suffering is "in God's book" impact your trust in His ultimate justice and faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "tear bottle" mentioned in this verse, and was it a real custom?**

Answer: The "tear bottle" (lachrymatory) mentioned in [Psalm 56:8](/psalms/56-8 "Psalm 56:8 - God Remembers Our Tears") refers to a small vessel, often made of glass or pottery, used in ancient cultures to collect tears. While the exact widespread use of such bottles specifically for mourning and their placement in tombs is debated among scholars, the concept was certainly understood in the ancient Near East. The significance in the biblical context is primarily metaphorical and poetic. David is not asking God to literally collect his tears in a physical bottle. Instead, he is using a culturally recognizable image to convey the profound truth that God observes, remembers, and cherishes every tear shed by His people. It symbolizes God's intimate empathy, His meticulous attention to human suffering, and His promise that no sorrow goes unnoticed or unvalued in His sight. It underscores the preciousness of human pain to a compassionate God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 56:8 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "wanderings" of David, symbolic of human exile from God and the pain of a fallen world, are perfectly embodied in Christ, who himself had "nowhere to lay his head" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - The Son of Man Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")). Jesus, the suffering Servant, experienced the full spectrum of human sorrow, weeping over Jerusalem ([Luke 19:41](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")) and shedding tears of agony in Gethsemane ([Hebrews 5:7](/hebrews/5-7 "Hebrews 5:7 - Christ's Prayers and Tears")). His tears, unlike ours, were not merely collected but were redemptive, bearing the weight of all human sin and suffering. The promise that God puts our tears into His bottle and records them in His book is fulfilled in Christ's empathetic High Priesthood; He is one who "sympathizes with our weaknesses" because He was "in every respect tempted as we are, yet without sin" ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ Our High Priest")). Through His sacrifice, Jesus ensures that our every tear, every "wandering," and every pain is seen and transformed. He is the Lamb of God who will ultimately "wipe away every tear from their eyes" ([Revelation 7:17](/revelation/7-17 "Revelation 7:17 - The Lamb Will Guide Them") and [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears")), bringing an end to all suffering and establishing a new heaven and new earth where sorrow is no more, fulfilling the divine promise of remembrance with eternal comfort and joy.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 20:5

Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.

Psalms 39:12

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I [am] a stranger with thee, [and] a sojourner, as all my fathers [were].

Malachi 3:16

Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

Psalms 126:5

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Psalms 126:6

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves [with him].

Revelation 7:17

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Psalms 139:16

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all [my members] were written, [which] in continuance were fashioned, when [as yet there was] none of them.