20 Bible Verses for Overcoming Depression

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” (Ps. 42:5)

Have you ever felt that way, or asked yourself that question? Perhaps you’re not sure why you’re so sad or depressed, but you feel a weight, a burden, and an unsettledness in your heart. Your malaise may be undefined and mysterious, but it’s heavy, nonetheless, and casts you down.

Or maybe you know exactly why you feel depressed. Difficult, or even tragic, circumstances have encircled your life, and it’s a fight every day to keep your head up and fight for joy.

Does it help to know that this sort of wrestling with depression isn’t unique to you, and is found in the Bible? In Psalm 42, the psalmist laments his sad mental state. He says, “My tears have been my food day and night” (3). He describes his soul as “cast down and in turmoil” (5). His enemies taunt him and say, “Where is your God?” (3). Waves of sorrow wash over him like the roar of a waterfall (7). He’s suffering physically (10), emotionally (9), and relationally (10). He’s among the throngs of worshipers who are praising God, yet he doesn’t feel joyful or celebratory.

We might say he’s depressed, or at least in a series of very depressing circumstances. But he fights to remember who God is, and he preaches truth to his soul. He answers his own question of why he’s cast down with what he knows is true, “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (5).

Dear friend. I know that overcoming depression is a serious and complex issue, and many factors play into it. But can I encourage you to do as the psalmist did, and take it to the Lord? Can you change the script in your mind from listening to yourself to preaching to yourself?

Start preaching by considering how you can put your hope in God. Here are 20 verses to get you started.

20 Bible Verses for Overcoming Depression

1. Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)
“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

2. Psalm 3:3 (ESV)
“But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”

3. Psalm 9:9 (ESV)
“The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”

4. Psalm 23:4 (ESV)
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

5. Psalm 34:17 (ESV)
“When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.”

6. Psalm 147:3 (ESV)
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

7. Proverbs 12:25 (ESV)
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

8. Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

9. Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

10. Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

11. Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV)
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

12. John 16:33 (ESV)
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

13. Romans 8:28 (ESV)
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

14. Romans 8:38–39 (ESV)
“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.”

15. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

16. 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (ESV)
“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 may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

17. Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

18. Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

19. Philippians 4:13 (ESV)
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

20. 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)
“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Do you listen to yourself, or preach to yourself?

The psalmist preached truth to himself in the midst of great difficulty and suffering, and it reset his heart and gaze. He looked to God and found renewed hope. This strategy may be more effective than we realize. How do you remind yourself to put your hope in God? What soundtracks play on repeat in your mind?

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, in his work Spiritual Depression, said, “Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking [or preaching] to yourself?”

So the next time you feel downcast, or if you’re there now, preach truth to your soul. Remind yourself of the truth, even if you don’t feel it at the moment. Say like the psalmist, “By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.” He’s not forgotten you, and he loves you. He is your rock when the breakers of life crash over you.