10 Psalms for Depression

The dark clouds always follow me. That’s how I described my depression early on when I first noticed it. The sadness we feel when we have to say goodbye after a wonderful visit, or the feelings of dejection when we are not invited or asked to leave a place of work. There is a melancholy feeling of doing the same things over and over again. I needed these 10 psalms for depression.

Depression, sadness, and grief all mingle into one big cloud of fog. Growing up in the Appalachian hills the fog was always something to enjoy. Go ahead and Google “Appalachian fog” and you won’t be disappointed. There is so much beauty and wonder in waking up to a morning full of color and fog.

Depression and the Fog

Only the depression fog isn’t pretty and no one wants it. Fog hangs above the mountains, but also comes down and permeates them as well. To me depression feels like a constant state of fog. Sometimes I can think clearly and make decisions, even laugh at a good joke. Then there are the days, but mostly nights, where I feel the fog come down from the mountains. It clouds my view. Suddenly I can’t see the next step and my life feels pretty unhappy.

It is then that I need to go to God’s Word. In those moments I know that the truth of who God is and what He is doing do not go away. It is the truth that I need to remember. My heart is fickle and I don’t sometimes forget – I often forget!

I want to help you (and myself) remember these wonderful psalms that understand what it is like to have dark clouds following me. I hope these encourage your heart and you soak in the truth of them no matter how you feel today.

Psalm 16:7-8 – I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

Psalm 27:1 – The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 34:4 – I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 40:1-2 – 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.

Psalm 42:5 – Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, for the help of His countenance.

Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

Psalm 61:1-2 – Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You,When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psalm 77:11 – I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.

Psalm 88:1 – O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You.

Psalm 91:1 – He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I pray that you will find joy in the Lord in the depression you might be facing. Both the night seasons and the physical night are hard places to be. That you will meet with Him in those hours before you go to sleep. He will be up all night watching over you, so rest with the One who loves you with steadfast love.