Curated Bible verses

Bible Verses About Depression and Deep Sadness

People in Scripture speak openly about tears, isolation, and weariness. These passages may provide words for prayer or reflection, but depression is a health condition that deserves compassionate, appropriate care.

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Read with care

Several selections are laments rather than cheerful slogans. They can help a reader see that distress is present in biblical writing; they do not prescribe a cure or blame someone for how they feel.

Psalm 42 repeats a question to the writer’s own soul; it is part of an honest lament, not an instruction to suppress pain.

How to use these passages

Notice that several passages describe distress directly. You can read one as a prayer without forcing a positive conclusion. If low mood is persistent or overwhelming, seek care from someone qualified as well as support from people you trust.

Nine places to begin

Passages from this collection

This editorial collection contains 88 distinct passages. Read these examples in context, or use the generator to discover more.

Psalm 13:1-2

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. How long, Yahweh? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me?

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Psalm 34:18

Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.

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Psalm 42:5

Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence.

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Psalm 88:1-3

A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “The Suffering of Affliction.” A contemplation by Heman, the Ezrahite. Yahweh, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you. Let my prayer enter into your presence. Turn your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of troubles. My life draws near to Sheol.

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Psalm 139:7-10

Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from your presence? If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there! If I take the wings of the dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me.

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Lamentations 3:19-23

Remember my affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the bitterness. My soul still remembers them, and is bowed down within me. This I recall to my mind; therefore I have hope. It is because of Yahweh’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his mercies don’t fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.

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Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

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Mark 14:33-34

He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed. He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”

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2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

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