Depression doesn’t care about your faith or how many verses you’ve memorized. It shows up anyway, uninvited and persistent, draining color from everything you used to enjoy and convincing you that this heaviness is all there is and all there ever will be. You wake up exhausted despite sleeping for hours. Simple tasks feel impossible. The guilt of feeling this way when you “should” be joyful as a Christian only makes it worse, like your depression is evidence of weak faith rather than a very real struggle millions of believers have faced.
People who haven’t experienced depression don’t understand that you can’t just pray it away or think positive thoughts and snap out of it. You know God is real, but He feels distant. You believe the promises in Scripture, but they don’t seem to touch the darkness you’re sitting in. You’re tired of pretending you’re fine, exhausted from the effort it takes just to get through another day, and wondering if you’ll ever feel normal again or if this is just your life now.
These verses won’t cure clinical depression, and they’re not a substitute for professional help when you need it. But they offer truth to hold onto when your feelings are lying to you.
Bible Verses for Depression
1. Psalm 34:18 – The Lord Is Close to the Brokenhearted
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Matthew 11:28 – Come to Me, All Who Are Weary
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. Psalm 42:11 – Why Are You Downcast, O My Soul?
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. Isaiah 41:10 – Do Not Fear, for I Am with You
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. Psalm 23:4 – Even Though I Walk Through the Darkest Valley
Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – The God of All Comfort
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 so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. Psalm 147:3 – He Heals the Brokenhearted
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Romans 8:38-39 – Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV)
9. Psalm 46:1 – God Is Our Refuge and Strength
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
New King James Version (NKJV)
10. Philippians 4:6-7 – Do Not Be Anxious About Anything
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
New Living Translation (NLT)
11. Psalm 30:5 – Weeping May Stay for the Night
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.
New Living Translation (NLT)
12. Isaiah 40:31 – Those Who Hope in the Lord Will Renew Their Strength
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)
13. 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast All Your Anxiety on Him
Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
14. Psalm 91:15 – I Will Be with Him in Trouble
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
King James Version (KJV)
15. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – We Are Hard Pressed but Not Crushed
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
English Standard Version (ESV)
16. Psalm 40:1-2 – He Lifted Me Out of the Slimy 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.
New King James Version (NKJV)
17. John 16:33 – In This World You Will Have Trouble
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
New International Version (NIV)
18. Psalm 55:22 – Cast Your Cares on the Lord
Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
New Living Translation (NLT)
19. Isaiah 43:2 – When You Pass Through the Waters
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, and the flame will not harm you.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
20. Nahum 1:7 – The Lord Is Good, a Refuge in Times of Trouble
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
21. Psalm 73:26 – My Flesh and My Heart May Fail
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
King James Version (KJV)
22. Romans 15:13 – May the God of Hope Fill You
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
English Standard Version (ESV)
23. Psalm 3:3 – But You, Lord, Are a Shield Around Me
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.
New King James Version (NKJV)
24. Deuteronomy 31:8 – The Lord Goes Before You
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.
New Living Translation (NLT)
25. Psalm 121:1-2 – I Lift Up My Eyes to the Mountains
I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
26. Lamentations 3:22-23 – His Compassions Never Fail
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
27. Psalm 138:7 – Though I Walk in the Midst of Trouble
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
King James Version (KJV)
28. 2 Corinthians 12:9 – My Grace Is Sufficient for You
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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
29. Psalm 62:8 – Trust in Him at All Times
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.
New King James Version (NKJV)
30. Joshua 1:9 – Be Strong and Courageous
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
New Living Translation (NLT)
31. Psalm 94:19 – When Anxiety Was Great Within Me
When I am filled with cares, your comfort brings me joy.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
32. Hebrews 13:5 – Never Will I Leave You
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
33. Psalm 86:7 – When I Am in Distress, I Call to You
In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
King James Version (KJV)
34. 2 Timothy 1:7 – God Has Not Given Us a Spirit of Fear
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
English Standard Version (ESV)
35. Psalm 27:13-14 – I Remain Confident of This
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!
New King James Version (NKJV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Depression
Scripture doesn’t minimize the reality of deep emotional pain. The Psalms especially are full of honest, raw cries from people in the depths of despair. David repeatedly asks God why He feels so far away, admits to being overwhelmed, and describes feeling crushed. These aren’t happy little faith declarations but real expressions of suffering from someone who loved God deeply. The Bible makes space for lament, for crying out, for admitting when you’re not okay.
What’s crucial to understand is that depression isn’t a sin or a sign of weak faith. Some of the most faithful people in Scripture struggled with profound despair. Elijah wanted to die. Jeremiah cursed the day he was born. Job sat in ashes, wishing he’d never existed. God didn’t condemn them for their depression but met them in it, providing comfort and sustaining them through the darkness.
These verses offer anchors when everything feels unmoored. They remind you of truths your emotions are currently incapable of feeling: God is near even when He feels absent, this darkness isn’t forever, you’re not alone in this struggle, and help is available both spiritually and practically.
Say This Prayer
Father, I’m struggling in ways I don’t fully understand and can barely put into words. This heaviness won’t lift, and I’m exhausted from trying to push through it on my own. I know You’re supposed to be close to the brokenhearted, but honestly, You feel far away right now. I need You to be near in ways I can actually sense, not just know theologically.
Help me to keep going when everything in me wants to give up. Give me strength for today, just today, because thinking about tomorrow feels impossible. Surround me with people who understand and won’t make me feel worse for struggling. Lead me to the help I need, whether that’s counseling, medication, different support, or all of the above. Remove any shame I’m carrying about needing help.
I’m holding onto the truth that weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning, even though morning feels impossibly far away right now. I’m choosing to believe You haven’t abandoned me, even though my feelings say otherwise. Sustain me through this darkness and bring me through to the other side. Meet me here in this pit and lift me out in Your time and Your way.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.