What does the Bible say about depression?
The Bible never uses the modern word 'depression,' but it portrays it everywhere — David's tears soaking his bed, Elijah collapsed under a juniper tree, Job cursing the day of his birth. Scripture refuses to shame the heavy-hearted. Instead it sits with them, names the darkness honestly, and points to a God who is 'near to those who have a broken heart.'
God is closest when you feel furthest from him.
Bible verses about depression
"The righteous cried, and Jehovah heard, And delivered them out of all their troubles. Jehovah is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, And saveth such as are of a contrite spirit."
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"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, Who isthe help of my countenance, and my God."
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"I waited patiently for Jehovah; And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay; And he set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings."
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"fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
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"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
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"we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed;"
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"It is of Jehovah’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness."
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Frequently asked
Does the Bible talk about depression?
Yes — extensively, though not by that name. The Psalms in particular give language for despair, exhaustion, and feeling forgotten by God.
What Bible verses help with depression?
Psalm 34:18, Psalm 42:11, Matthew 11:28, and Lamentations 3:22-23 are among the most pastorally helpful — each acknowledges the weight without pretending it isn't there.
Did anyone in the Bible struggle with depression?
Elijah (1 Kings 19), Job, David (across the Psalms), and Jeremiah all describe what we would now call depressive seasons. Scripture treats their honesty as faithful, not faithless.
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