What Does “Valley of tears” Mean in the Bible?
That is what the Hail, Holy Queen calls this world, where there is suffering, while we wait for heaven.
It can mean
- In the Hail, Holy Queen: “To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.”
- What it hopes for: the same prayer asks Mary, “after this our exile,” to show us Jesus.
- Jesus also wept: he wept for his friend Lazarus. And he promised comfort to those who mourn.
Where it appears in the Bible
John 11:35; Matthew 5:4
What the Bible says
John 11:35
And Jesus wept.
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: Compendium of the Catechism, “Common Prayers” (Hail, Holy Queen)