Depression has this way of convincing you that the darkness will never lift. It whispers lies about your worth, your future, and whether God cares about your pain. Some days, getting out of bed feels impossible. Other days, you function but feel empty inside, going through the motions while your soul feels dead.
If you’re reading this in one of those dark seasons, I want you to know something: what you’re experiencing doesn’t disqualify you from God’s love or His power to heal. Throughout Scripture, we see godly people wrestling with deep despair. David cried out from the depths. Elijah wanted to die under a tree. Even Jesus experienced such anguish that He sweated drops of blood.
But we also see God meeting these hurting people exactly where they were, offering hope, healing, and renewed purpose. These verses aren’t magic formulas, but they are weapons against the lies depression tells you. They’re declarations of truth that can gradually reshape how your mind processes pain and hope.
Bible Verses for Defeating Depression with God’s Word
1. Psalm 34:18 – God Is Near to the Brokenhearted
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Isaiah 61:3 – Beauty for Ashes
To grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. Psalm 42:11 – Why Are You Downcast?
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.
New King James Version (NKJV)
4. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – God of All Comfort
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. Jeremiah 29:11 – Plans for Hope and Future
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. Psalm 147:3 – He Heals the Brokenhearted
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
New International Version (NIV)
7. Romans 8:28 – All Things Work for Good
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
English Standard Version (ESV)
8. Psalm 30:5 – Joy Comes in the Morning
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
New King James Version (NKJV)
9. Matthew 11:28-29 – Come to Me, All Who Are Weary
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
New Living Translation (NLT)
10. Isaiah 40:31 – They Who Wait on the Lord
But those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
11. Psalm 23:4 – Through the Valley of the Shadow
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
New International Version (NIV)
12. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 – Renewed Day by Day
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.
English Standard Version (ESV)
13. Psalm 103:2-4 – Forget Not All His Benefits
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies.
New King James Version (NKJV)
14. Isaiah 43:2 – Through Waters and Fire
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
New Living Translation (NLT)
15. Psalm 121:1-2 – My Help Comes From the Lord
I lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
16. Romans 15:13 – God of Hope Fill You
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
New International Version (NIV)
17. Psalm 139:23-24 – Search Me and Know My Heart
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
English Standard Version (ESV)
18. Lamentations 3:22-23 – Great Is Your Faithfulness
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
New King James Version (NKJV)
19. Philippians 4:19 – God Will Meet All Your Needs
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
New Living Translation (NLT)
20. 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast All Your Anxiety on Him
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
21. Psalm 62:8 – Pour Out Your Heart Before Him
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
New International Version (NIV)
22. Isaiah 26:3 – Perfect Peace
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
23. Psalm 40:1-3 – He Lifted Me Out of the Pit
I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth, praise to our God.
New King James Version (NKJV)
24. John 16:33 – In This World You Will Have Trouble
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
New Living Translation (NLT)
25. Psalm 9:9 – A Stronghold in Times of Trouble
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
26. 2 Corinthians 12:9 – My Grace Is Sufficient
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
New International Version (NIV)
27. Nehemiah 8:10 – The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
28. Psalm 55:22 – Cast Your Burden on the Lord
Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
New King James Version (NKJV)
29. Romans 8:18 – Present Sufferings Not Worth Comparing
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
New Living Translation (NLT)
30. Psalm 31:24 – Be Strong and Take Heart
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
31. Isaiah 35:10 – Everlasting Joy
And those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
New International Version (NIV)
32. Psalm 126:5-6 – Those Who Sow in Tears
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
33. 1 Kings 19:7 – The Journey Is Too Much for You
And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.”
New King James Version (NKJV)
34. Revelation 21:4 – No More Death, Mourning, or Pain
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.
New Living Translation (NLT)
35. Romans 8:38-39 – Nothing Can Separate Us From God’s Love
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Defeating Depression
Scripture approaches depression with remarkable honesty and compassion. Rather than dismissing mental anguish as a lack of faith, the Bible acknowledges that even the most godly people experience seasons of deep despair.
What’s beautiful is how God meets us in these dark places, not with condemnation but with comfort and hope. The verses above reveal that depression often catalyzes deeper intimacy with God. When everything else fails us, we discover that His love remains constant.
The Bible doesn’t promise that following God will eliminate all sadness, but it does promise that we’re never alone in our suffering and that our pain has purpose in His hands.
Say This Prayer
Father, I come to You in this season of darkness, feeling overwhelmed by sadness and hopelessness. I confess that some days I can barely function, and I’ve questioned whether you truly care about my pain.
Thank You for meeting me exactly where I am, without judgment or condemnation. I believe that You are close to the brokenhearted and that You promise to heal my wounds. Fill me with Your peace that surpasses understanding.
Replace my despair with hope, my sorrow with joy, and my fear with faith. Help me to trust that this season of weeping will give way to a morning of joy.
Surround me with Your love and give me strength for each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.