Psalms 56:8 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God records his exile and displacement; his suffering is precious and remembered by God.
The Context of Psalms 56:8
The psalmist affirms that God records his exile and treasures his tears as a sign of remembrance.
What Does Psalms 56:8 Mean?
Wanderings refers to his forced displacement, flight from enemies, the unstable existence of the hunted. God is not indifferent to this wandering but records it, knows its every step. Nothing escapes God's notice.
The image of tears in a bottle is striking—God collects and preserves his suffering as if it were precious. Writing in God's book means his affliction is documented, witnessed, held in memory. No suffering is wasted or forgotten.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 56:8
What does Psalms 56:8 mean?
God records his exile and displacement; his suffering is precious and remembered by God.
What is the context of Psalms 56:8?
The psalmist affirms that God records his exile and treasures his tears as a sign of remembrance.