DAILY TEXT, Monday, August 31, 2026. Collect my tears in your wineskin (Psalm 56:8).

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Monday, August 31, 2026

Collect my tears in your wineskin (Psalm 56:8).

During his life, David faced many painful situations that brought him to tears. Many hated him, and even some family members and friends betrayed his trust and tried to harm him (1 Sam. 19:10, 11; 2 Sam. 15:10-14, 30). At one point in his life he wrote: “I am worn out from sighing; all night long I soak my bed with tears; I flood my couch with my weeping” (Ps. 6:6).

Although David’s life was difficult, he was certain that Jehovah loved him. He wrote: “Jehovah will hear my crying.” (Psalm 6:8) Today’s text poetically describes how much Jehovah loves us and cares about how we feel. David said it was as if Jehovah were collecting each of his tears in a wineskin or recording them in a book. He was fully convinced that his loving heavenly Father was aware of all his suffering and remembered it, and that he not only knew his problems but also how they made him feel. w24.12 22 pars. 11, 12

What can console us if someone has disappointed or betrayed us?

What do we learn? Has someone you love disappointed or betrayed you? Are you heartbroken because your marriage or courtship ended? Are you sad because someone you love has stopped serving Jehovah? Let’s consider a real-life example. One brother described how he felt when his wife was unfaithful and left him: “I couldn’t believe it; I was in shock. I felt worthless, sad, and angry.”

What can comfort you if someone has betrayed or disappointed you? Keeping in mind the fact that Jehovah will never abandon you. The brother said: “I realized that people can let you down, but Jehovah will not. He is our Rock; he will always be there, no matter what. He will never abandon his loyal ones.” (Psalm 37:28)

Remember that no one loves you as much as Jehovah does. You may have been hurt deeply, but don't let that blind you to how much Jehovah cares for you (Rom. 8:38, 39). Even if someone treats you badly, you can be sure of one thing: Jehovah does love you!

What does Psalm 34:18 assure us?

If you have suffered betrayal, you can also find comfort in the words David wrote at Psalm 34:18 (read it). One reference work says that the expression “those who are downcast” can be translated as “those who have nothing good to look forward to.” How does Jehovah help those who feel this way? The same text says that he is “near” to those who feel broken, perhaps because of betrayal or disappointment.

He is like a father who, when he sees his little one crying, takes him in his arms and comforts him. He feels our pain and comes immediately to help us. He wants to calm our hearts and relieve our suffering. Moreover, he gives us many good things to look forward to, and thus helps us to endure the problems we have now (Isaiah 65:17).

What situation caused King Hezekiah to weep uncontrollably?

When King Hezekiah of Judah was 39 years old, he became seriously ill. Through the prophet Isaiah, Jehovah told him that he was going to die from his illness (2 Kings 20:1). It seemed that there was no hope for Hezekiah. The news left him in tears, and he began to plead with Jehovah for help (2 Kings 20:2, 3).

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