The Greek word for "weep," klaio, denotes audible weeping and sobbing. Hungering and sobbing are evidences of our poverty of spirit, and our consciousness of it. The Christian "sobs" over his poverty of spirit, his sinfulness and unworthiness before God.

"Behind the sobbing of the godly there is the recognition of the merciless power of sin and of our helplessness to ward off this power and to escape. Hence this sobbing is a constant cry to God in our distress." - Lenski. The present participle tells us that this sobbing is a constantly sobbing. In fact, as Martin Luther said in his 95 Theses, that our entire life must be a continuous contrition and repentance.