A deep sense of despondency, discouragement and sadness, often linked with a sense of personal powerlessness and a loss of meaning in and enthusiasm for life. Many biblical characters show evidence of such behaviour which originates in a number of different ways.
Some causes of depression
External circumstances
2 Corinthians 1:8 See also 1 Kings 19:3–4; Job 9:23; Psalm 42:1–11, Psalm 88:1–18; Joel 1:11
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.
Physical illness or exhaustion
1 Kings 19:5–8 See also Genesis 21:15–16; Psalm 6:1–7, Psalm 22:14–17, Psalm 31:9–12; Isaiah 38:1–2; Jonah 1:5
Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. A second time the angel of the LORD returned and touched him, saying, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. And strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.
Fear of others
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like the lives of those you killed!” And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,
Fear of failure
1 Kings 19:4 See also Exodus 4:1; Numbers 11:11–15
while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
Serious sin
Matthew 27:3–4 See also Psalm 25:16–18; Jeremiah 14:2–3, Jeremiah 14:7, Jeremiah 16:9–10; Ezekiel 4:16–17, Ezekiel 7:26–27, Ezekiel 12:19; Revelation 16:10–11
When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”
A sense of the futility of life
So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind. I hated all for which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. And who knows whether that man will be wise or foolish? Yet he will take over all the labor at which I have worked skillfully under the sun. This too is futile. So my heart began to despair over all the labor that I had done under the sun.
Loss of sense of God's presence
Psalm 22:1–2 See also Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning? I cry out by day, O my God, but You do not answer, and by night, but I have no rest.
Symptoms of depression
A loathing of life and a desire to end it
Numbers 11:15 See also 1 Kings 19:4; Job 10:1; Ecclesiastes 2:17; Jeremiah 20:15–18; Jonah 4:8
If this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now — if I have found favor in Your eyes — and let me not see my own wretchedness.”
Deep sorrow
Genesis 21:16 See also Judges 21:2; 1 Samuel 1:10, 1 Samuel 1:16; Psalm 42:3; Nehemiah 1:4, Nehemiah 2:2; Esther 4:1–3; Job 16:16; Lamentations 2:11
Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she said, “I cannot bear to watch the boy die!” And as she sat nearby, she lifted up her voice and wept.
Loneliness
1 Kings 19:10 See also Numbers 11:14; 1 Kings 19:14
“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”
Perplexity
Psalm 42:5 See also Habakkuk 1:2; Luke 24:17; John 16:6
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence.
Despair
Job 17:1 See also Psalm 88:3–9; 2 Corinthians 1:8–9
“My spirit is broken; my days are extinguished; the grave awaits me.
Escapism
Psalm 55:6–8 See also 1 Kings 19:1–3; Jeremiah 8:22
I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest. How far away I would flee! In the wilderness I would remain. Selah I would hurry to my shelter, far from this raging tempest.”
Feeling forsaken by God
Psalm 22:1 See also Psalm 27:9, Psalm 38:21; Isaiah 49:14; Jeremiah 15:18; Lamentations 3:1–20
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?
Examples of spiritual depression
Judges 6:13; 1 Kings 19:9–18; Psalm 22:1–2, Psalm 22:6–8, Psalm 42:1–7, Psalm 42:9–11, Psalm 43:1–5
Remedies for depression
Renewed vision of God and being centred upon him
1 Kings 19:11; Isaiah 26:3 See also Jeremiah 17:7–8; Romans 8:6
Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.
Hope and trust in God
Psalm 42:11 See also Psalm 22:9–11, Psalm 22:22–31; Habakkuk 3:16–18
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.
Praise
Psalm 30:1 See also Psalm 42:5, Psalm 107:1–43; Isaiah 61:1–3; 2 Corinthians 4:8–12
A Psalm. A song for the dedication of the temple. Of David. I will exalt You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up and have not allowed my foes to rejoice over me.
Reviewing what God has done
Psalm 77:11–12 See also Psalm 42:6, Psalm 143:5; Lamentations 3:19–26; 2 Corinthians 7:6
I will remember the works of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. I will reflect on all You have done and ponder Your mighty deeds.
Prayer
Philippians 4:6–7 See also Psalm 139:23
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.