Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, bread is often a symbol of sustenance and life, representing God's provision for His people. However, the phrase "bread of tears" introduces a poignant contrast, symbolizing deep sorrow and affliction. This expression is found in Psalm 80:5, where the psalmist laments, "You have fed them with the bread of tears and made them drink tears by the full measure" . Here, the "bread of tears" signifies a period of intense suffering and divine chastisement, where tears become the sustenance of the afflicted.The imagery of consuming tears as bread underscores the depth of the psalmist's grief and the pervasive nature of their sorrow. It reflects a time when joy and comfort seem distant, and the only nourishment comes from one's own weeping. This metaphor is a powerful depiction of the human experience of anguish and the feeling of being overwhelmed by life's trials. Throughout Scripture, the concept of sorrow and lamentation is not foreign. The Bible acknowledges the reality of human suffering and provides numerous examples of individuals and communities expressing their grief to God. The "bread of tears" serves as a reminder of the brokenness of the world and the consequences of sin, both personal and communal. Yet, even in the midst of sorrow, the Bible offers hope. The psalms, including Psalm 80, often transition from lament to a plea for restoration and divine intervention. The psalmist's cry for deliverance and the restoration of God's favor reflects a deep trust in God's ability to transform sorrow into joy. This hope is echoed in the broader biblical narrative, where God's ultimate plan for redemption through Jesus Christ promises an end to all suffering and the wiping away of every tear (Revelation 21:4). In the Christian life, the "bread of tears" can serve as a call to deeper reliance on God, encouraging believers to bring their sorrows before Him in prayer and trust in His sovereign care. It is a reminder that, while sorrow may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). The journey from tears to joy is a testament to God's faithfulness and His power to heal and restore. In conclusion, the "bread of tears" is a vivid biblical metaphor for sorrow and suffering, yet it is also an invitation to seek God's presence and comfort in times of distress. It points to the hope of redemption and the assurance that God is near to the brokenhearted, ready to turn mourning into dancing and sorrow into gladness. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 80:5You feed them with the bread of tears; and give them tears to drink in great measure. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library They who have Committed a "Sin unto Death" are not to be Abandoned ... Whether Joy is an Effect of Devotion? The Twenty-First Chapter: Sorrow of Heart Bread of the World, in Mercy Broken The Cry for Bread Bread and Gravel Reading the Law with Tears and Joy The Night of the Soul the Night of the Soul Whether Sadness Causes Pleasure? Resources What did Jesus mean when He said, “This is my body, broken for you”? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said we must eat His flesh and drink His blood? | GotQuestions.org Why is the real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper such a controversial issue? | GotQuestions.org Bread: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Bread in Times of Scarcity, Sold by Weight Bread was Baked: On Coals of Fire Bread with Water, the Food of Prisons Bread: (Eating Without Scarceness) of Plenty Bread: (Fulness of) of Abundance Bread: (Of Adversity) Heavy Affliction Bread: (Of Deceit) Unlawful Gain Bread: (Of Wickedness) Oppression Bread: (Partaking of) Communion of Saints Bread: (Seeking of Begging) Extreme Poverty Bread: (Want of) Extreme Poverty Bread: (When Broken) the Death of Christ Bread: Called the Staff of Life Bread: Crumb of, Used to Wipe the Fingers, Thrown Under the Table Bread: First Fruit of, offered to God Bread: How Prepared: Baked in Ovens Bread: How Prepared: Cracknels Bread: How Prepared: Made Into Loaves Bread: How Prepared: Mixed With Oil Bread: How Prepared: On Coals of Dung Bread: How Prepared: On Hearths Bread: Kinds of Bread of Affliction Bread: Kinds of Leavened (Made With Yeast) Bread: Kinds of Unleavened (Made Without Yeast) Bread: Made of Manna (In the Wilderness) Bread: Multitudes Miraculously Fed by Christ With Bread: Nutritious and Strengthening Bread: Offered With Sacrifices Bread: Often Given As a Present Bread: Often Put for the Whole Substance of Man Bread: Ordinary, Called Common Bread Bread: Placed on Table of Shew Bread Bread: Plenty of, Promised to the Obedient Bread: Sacred, Called Hallowed Bread Bread: Scarceness of, Sent As a Punishment Bread: Served Round After Funerals Bread: Symbolical of the Body of Christ Bread: The Principal Food Used by the Ancients Bread: Troughs Used for Kneading Bread: when Old, Dry and Mouldy Related Terms |
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