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Bible Verses About Depression
If your heart feels heavy and dark, you are not alone and you are not forgotten. God is near the brokenhearted. These verses are for the low places, and please, reach out to someone you trust and to a doctor or counselor; seeking help is an act of courage, not weakness. Psalm 34:18, Psalm 42:11, Psalm 40:1-2 are among the clearest passages.
Bible verses about depression
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 · King James Version (public domain)
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul?... hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him.”
Psalm 42:11 · King James Version (public domain)
“He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock.”
Psalm 40:1-2 · King James Version (public domain)
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 · King James Version (public domain)
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”
Psalms 42:5 · King James Version (public domain)
When your soul is cast down, this verse gives words to the ache and gently turns your hope back toward God.
“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.”
Isaiah 41:10 · King James Version (public domain)
God tells the fearful heart not to be dismayed, for He Himself will strengthen and uphold you with His hand.
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”
Psalms 147:3 · King James Version (public domain)
God draws near to the brokenhearted, binding up the wounds that no one else can even see.
“But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”
Psalms 3:3 · King James Version (public domain)
When your head hangs low, the Lord is the One who lifts it, becoming your shield and your glory.
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;”
2 Corinthians 4:8 · King James Version (public domain)
You may feel pressed and perplexed, yet God promises you are not crushed nor left in despair.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27 · King James Version (public domain)
Jesus gives a peace the world cannot give, meant to steady a troubled and fearful heart.
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 · King James Version (public domain)
You are invited to cast the whole weight of your care upon God, because He genuinely cares for you.
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
Psalms 27:14 · King James Version (public domain)
In the waiting darkness, God calls you to take courage, for strength comes to those who wait upon Him.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 · King James Version (public domain)
Jesus is honest that trouble will come, yet He tells you to take heart because He has overcome the world.
How these verses point to Christ
These verses are not slogans to prop yourself up. Every true word the Bible speaks about depression finds its yes in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). He is where depression, rightly understood, was always leading; come to Him and receive what no verse alone can give.
You do not have to carry this alone
On The Living Bread you can read these passages in full, ask Simon what they mean, hear how Christ has met others in the same place, and pray them with a community that will pray for you by name. You are welcome exactly as you are.
Grounded in Scripture, and made to genuinely help. Our approach to Scripture and trust.