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God’s word to the depressed: Bible verses on Depression

God’s word to the depressed: Bible verses on Depression

Last updated on: November 19, 2025 at 7:46 pm by Adrian Warnock

God’s word to the depressed: Bible verses on Depression 2025-11-19T19:46:40+00:00 Adrian Warnock

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Mental Health and Wellbeing

I have previously written on depression as a mental illness, and how because of the “Four Pillar Approach to Mental Health” we can all be helped by these verses on depression whether we are diagnosed as depressed or not.

Nothing I say here should be taken as discouraging seeking professional help, as to my mind there is no reason why people cannot simultaneously be helped by promises from God’s word and the wisdom of doctors who were created by God. Let’s see what the Scriptures have to say to people who are suffering depression.

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This article is part of a growing collection, drawing from Adrian Warnock’s medical and psychological expertise, lived experience, and Christian faith.

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The Bible describes the symptoms of depression remarkably well in many places, this jumps out to anyone who has ever suffered from or treated someone with clinical depression. This should help defuse the lie that you are somehow on your own, and nobody understands. As I have previously mentioned there are many examples of people who got depressed in the Bible. Today I want to share some words which will encourage all of us when our mood is low. I have emphasised some key words that we do well to meditate on. Many of these words could usefully be pinned on your refrigerator or be on the lock screen on your phone:

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the LORD delivers him out of them all . . .
The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
(Psalm 34:17–22)

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
(Romans 8:1).

In you, O LORD, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me!
Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me . . .

. . . I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have known the distress of my soul . . .

Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
my eye is wasted from grief;
my soul and my body also.
For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing . . .

But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
Make your face shine on your servant;
save me in your steadfast love!
O LORD, let me not be put to shame,
for I call upon you. . .

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the LORD!
(Psalm 31).

I waited patiently for the LORD;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
(Psalm 40:1–2)

As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food
day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”
These things I remember,
as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
a multitude keeping festival.
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
My soul is cast down within me;
therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep
at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
have gone over me.
By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,
and at night his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God, my rock:
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?”
As with a deadly wound in my bones,
my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.

(Psalm 42:1–11)

He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
(Is 53:3–4).

But as for me, I will look to the LORD;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
my God will hear me.

Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;

when I fall, I shall rise;

when I sit in darkness,

the LORD will be a light to me.

Micah 7:7–8.

The eternal God is your dwelling place,
and underneath are the everlasting arms
Deuteronomy 33:27.

Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
Let your work be shown to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalm 90:13–17.

You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, LORD, do I seek.”
Hide not your face from me.
(Psalm 27:8–9).

What is depression and how is it treated?

The four pillars of mental health and wellbeing

Going to a doctor for help is never a sign of lack of faith

Examples of mental anguish and depression in the Bible

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