What are the best Psalms to read for depression? (5 best Psalms to read when you are depressed)

Growing up, I witnessed several people struggling with depression for years. When I went to theology school, one of my missions was to find scriptures that address depression in the word of God.

I discovered that the book of Psalms contains some great scriptures to read when we are depressed. So, when one of my friends from church asked how she could use the Bible to overcome depression, I was equipped with the right answers.

After our productive discussion, I wrote this article to help others suffering from depression.

5 best Psalms to Read When You are depressed

Psalms 43:5

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, Savior and my God.”

In this verse, David is speaking to himself. He admits that difficulties have crushed his soul. He admits to himself that he is depressed and needs renewed hope.

The writer is aware that hope comes from God. What’s more, David is hopeful that soon the depression will pass, and he will rise and praise God again.

If you are struggling with depression, this Psalm is a great reminder that you are not alone. Additionally, God will restore your joy when you lean on Him for healing, as David did multiple times.

Psalms 6:6-9

“I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.
⁷ My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.”

In this honest scripture, the writer admits that he stays up at night crying. It is so bad that his bedding is soaked in tears. People struggling with depression have a deep sadness that doesn’t seem to go away.

However, this Psalm reminds us that the Lord hears our cries and is always ready to show us mercy. This Psalm is a good read, especially if you are going through depression alone.

Psalms 34:18

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

In this heartwarming Psalm, the Bible reminds us that God recognizes how brokenhearted people suffer. So many things break people’s hearts, causing prolonged stress and anxiety.

Things like grief and joblessness can easily trigger depression. If your spirit is crushed, reading this Psalm will renew your hope in life.

Psalms 40:1

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.”

Being depressed can feel like a never-ending cycle of misery. This Psalm encourages Christians to wait upon the Lord through the hardships in life.

When you read this verse, your spirit will understand that God hears your cry and is ready to help.

Psalms 9:9

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”

This powerful Psalm reassures us that the Lord gives refuge to people who face ill-treatment. The scripture reminds you that you can lean on God no matter the attacks coming against you.

At times, depression creeps in when people are treating you unfairly. Reading this Psalm can help you stay focused on the positive, knowing you can call on God when you are in trouble.

Can these Psalms comfort you when you are depressed?

Yes, these Psalms are comforting for several reasons. First, one of the main authors in the Book of Psalms is David. Although he had a special relationship with God, David still struggled with depression.

David’s claim to the throne was constantly challenged, and he had to fight hard to become Israel’s king. Sometimes, he would hide in the wilderness, which must have been hard.

On many occasions, David admitted that his spirit was crushed. Still, he wrote these Psalms to assure believers that God can pull them out of depression and solve other problems in their lives.

What is David’s Psalm of depression?

There are three significant instances where David gives a vivid description of his depression. In this scripture, David is not just talking about mere sadness.

He describes prolonged periods of despondency, suicidal thoughts, lack of energy, and fatigue. The following are David’s Psalms of depression.

Psalms 40:1-3

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”

David talks about waiting for God to help him overcome his mental fog. The famous king describes his depression as a pit of destruction and a miry bog.

In the end, David says that God came to his aid and put a happy song in his heart.

Psalms 31:9-24

“Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.”

In this expressive Psalm, David begs for God’s mercy in a very distressed state. He talks about how the depression is taking a toll on his body to the point of making his bones weak.

This is how most depressed people feel.

Psalms 13:2-3

“How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, Lord my God.”

In this Psalm, David talks about something that most depressed people grapple with overthinking. He even mentions struggling with suicidal thoughts, a common symptom of depression.

What are the best Psalms to read when you are stressed and anxious?

Psalms 121:1-2

“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.”

This lovely Psalms teaches that God our help comes from God. When people are stressed and anxious, they tend to look down.

This Psalm encourages us to look up to the mountains and meditate on God’s power. Nature helps to relieve stress and anxiety because it draws you near to God.

Reading this Psalms can reassure you that the creator of the universe can pull you out of depression.

Psalm 3:3

“But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.”

Stress and anxiety are almost unavoidable in life. After all, Jesus did warn us that life would come with tribulations, as explained in John 16:33.

In light of this, this Psalm teaches believers that God is a shield in times of trouble. What’s more, the Lord will uplift you and restore your peace.