Blessed are They that Mourn

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed Are They That Mourn Meaning

What does ‘blessed are they that mourn’ actually mean? To understand this, we first need to know the various biblical meanings of the word "mourn" as well as "mourning" and how these meanings are used in the scriptures. We should examine other instances in the Bible where the terms appear and consider the context of the verses to fully grasp the various meanings.

The Loss of a Loved One

Some passages clearly use the words "mourn" or "mourning" to describe the sorrow felt over the loss of a loved one or a friend. For example, Jacob experienced grief when he mistakenly believed he had lost his son, Joseph, whom Joseph’s brothers had actually sold into slavery.

Genesis 37:35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son MOURNING. Thus his father wept for him.

When Moses died, as Israel was nearing the end of their forty years of wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites spent some time mourning his death.

Deuteronomy 34:8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and MOURNING for Moses were ended.

This is one of the meanings of "mourn" or "mourning" in the Bible, but it is not likely the meaning that Jesus intended to convey in His Sermon on the Mount.

Another Word for Oppression

In the Bible, the word "mourning" is also used to describe feelings of oppression or anxiety. David experienced troubling of the mind due to, as he calls it, the oppression of his enemies, which he referred to as "mourning." He expresses this sentiment in Psalm 43:2.

Psalms 43:2 For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I MOURNING because of the OPPRESSION of the enemy?

Although the terms "mourn" and "mourning" are used in places such as this one to describe oppression, mental turmoil, and anxiety, these are not the meanings Jesus was aiming at when He said, "Blessed are they that mourn."

What Does Mourn Mean?

We gain a clearer understanding of the meaning Jesus intended when we view mourning as a voluntary, self-imposed form of suffering, aimed at drawing nearer to God and returning to Him wholeheartedly. This idea is illustrated in Joel 2:12-13.

Joel 2:12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with MOURNING:
Joel 2:13 And REND YOUR HEART, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

In this verse, God instructs His people through the prophet Joel to fast, weep, and MOURN, urging them to return to the LORD their God. What were they to mourn? They were to mourn over their sins. In other words, it means experiencing a heartfelt inner sorrow and grief because of sin. This is the type of mourning that Jesus described as resulting in blessing.

From this passage in Joel 2:12, we can see that the word 'mourn' or 'mourning' carries a special meaning: it signifies turning to God with heartfelt repentance from sin. James conveys this idea in James 4:8-10.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
James 4:9 Be afflicted, and MOURN, and weep: let your laughter be turned to MOURNING, and your joy to heaviness.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

So then, mourning, as described in "blessed are they that mourn," refers to the voluntary humbling of oneself in repentance for the purifying of the heart from evil, with the explicit intention of drawing closer to the LORD.

If We Confess Our Sins

We could say it this way: blessed or happy are those who maintain a repentant heart, who despise evil, and who are quick to repent of sin, for they shall be comforted, consoled, encouraged, and strengthened.

Notice that ongoing repentance is necessary; it is not a one-time act. While we may aspire to live a sinless life, and most of us do try, we sometimes fall short. If it were otherwise, we wouldn't need to cultivate a heart attitude that is quick to repent.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

And having our sins forgiven and being cleansed from all unrihteousness is certainly a comfort to the one who is grieving over his sin.

Conclusion

In the context of Jesus' message on the mountain, to mourn means to grieve over one's sinful nature, which is inherent in all human beings. It involves having a heart and mindset that are quick to repent from wrongdoing and striving continually to remain pure before the LORD.

Such a person will experience genuine blessedness and great happiness in their life.

***

Continued in Blessed are the Meek