In the Bible, the concept of depression is not explicitly named as it is in modern psychological terms, but the Scriptures do address feelings and states of deep sorrow, despair, and emotional turmoil, which align with what is understood today as depression. Various biblical figures experienced profound emotional distress, and their accounts provide insight into how believers can navigate such challenges.

Biblical Examples of Depression:

1. David: King David, a man after God's own heart, often expressed feelings of deep sorrow and despair in the Psalms. In Psalm 42:11 , he writes, "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." David's transparency in his struggles offers a model for bringing one's burdens before God and finding hope in Him.

2. Elijah: The prophet Elijah experienced a significant low point after his victory over the prophets of Baal. In 1 Kings 19:4 , Elijah, overwhelmed and fearing for his life, "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.'" God's response to Elijah's despair was gentle and nurturing, providing him with rest, sustenance, and a renewed sense of purpose.

3. Job: The account of Job is a profound exploration of suffering and despair. After losing his children, wealth, and health, Job lamented his birth, saying, "Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb?" (Job 3:11). Despite his intense suffering, Job's account is one of perseverance and ultimate restoration, highlighting the importance of faith and trust in God's sovereignty.

4. Jeremiah: Known as the "weeping prophet," Jeremiah experienced deep sorrow over the sins of his people and the impending judgment. In Lamentations 3:20 , he writes, "Surely my soul remembers and is humbled within me." Yet, even in his lament, Jeremiah finds hope in God's faithfulness, declaring, "The LORD is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him" (Lamentations 3:24).

Biblical Guidance for the Depressed:

· Prayer and Supplication: The Bible encourages believers to bring their anxieties and burdens to God in prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 states, "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."

· Community and Support: The early church exemplified the importance of community and mutual support. Galatians 6:2 instructs, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Fellowship with other believers can provide encouragement and strength during times of depression.

· Hope in Christ: The ultimate hope for believers lies in Jesus Christ. Romans 15:13 offers a prayer for hope, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

· Renewal of the Mind: Scripture encourages the renewal of the mind as a means of transformation. Romans 12:2 advises, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."

The Bible acknowledges the reality of deep emotional pain and provides both examples and teachings to guide believers through such experiences. Through prayer, community, and a steadfast hope in God, individuals can find solace and strength in the midst of depression.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Depress.

2. (a.) Pressed or forced down; lowed; sunk; dejected; dispirited; sad; humbled.

3. (a.) Concave on the upper side; -- said of a leaf whose disk is lower than the border.

4. (a.) Lying flat; -- said of a stem or leaf which lies close to the ground.

5. (a.) Having the vertical diameter shorter than the horizontal or transverse; -- said of the bodies of animals, or of parts of the bodies.

5011. tapeinos -- low-lying, fig. lowly, hence lowly in spirit
... word Definition low-lying, fig. lowly, hence lowly in spirit NASB Word Usage depressed
(1), humble (5), lowly (1), meek (1). cast down, humble, lowly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5011.htm - 7k4134. muk -- to be low or depressed, to grow poor
... 4133, 4134. muk. 4135 . to be low or depressed, to grow poor. Transliteration:
muk Phonetic Spelling: (mook) Short Definition: poor. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/4134.htm - 6k

1800b. dal -- low, weak, poor, thin
... Word Origin from dalal Definition low, weak, poor, thin NASB Word Usage depressed
(1), helpless (7), least (1), lowly (2), needy (1), poor (29), poor man (3 ...
/hebrew/1800b.htm - 5k

6041. ani -- poor, afflicted, humble
... From anah; depressed, in mind or circumstances (practically the same as anav, although
the margin constantly disputes this, making anav subjective and aniy ...
/hebrew/6041.htm - 6k

8217. shaphal -- low
... basest, humble, lower,. From shaphel; depressed, literally or figuratively --
base(-st), humble, low(-er, -ly). see HEBREW shaphel. 8216, 8217. shaphal. 8218 ...
/hebrew/8217.htm - 6k

6035. anav -- poor, afflicted, humble, meek
... Or (by intermixture with aniy) Aanayv {aw-nawv'}; from anah; depressed (figuratively),
in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, especially saintly) -- humble ...
/hebrew/6035.htm - 6k

8478. tachath -- underneath, below, instead of
... Thahash. From the same as Towach; the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below
(often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc. ...
/hebrew/8478.htm - 6k

Encouragement for the Depressed
... Encouragement for the Depressed. A Sermon (No.3489). Published on Thursday,
December 9th, 1915. Delivered by. CH SPURGEON,. At [15]the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/encouragement for the depressed.htm

Whether the Effect of Sorrow or Pain is to Burden the Soul?
... Now carefulness and indignation imply that the soul is uplifted, which is contrary
to being depressed. Therefore depression is not an effect of sorrow. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the effect of sorrow.htm

God's Gentle Power
... It was almost inevitable that after an excitement so high, and strong, that he should
be desponding and depressed in spirits, and we find that he was so ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/gods gentle power.htm

Thirsting for God
... He was depressed, because he was shut out from the tokens of God's presence; and
because he was depressed, he shut himself out from the reality of the presence ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/thirsting for god.htm

"Take My Yoke Upon You," &C.
... hath rolled a stone above that yoke and burden, that it cannot be able to weigh
down any believing soul to hell; for that weight which depressed his spotless ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon viii take my yoke.htm

How the Demons Can Mediate Between Gods and Men if they have ...
... Who does not see that the intermediate position is abandoned in proportion as
they tend to, and are depressed towards, the lowest extreme? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 13 how the demons can.htm

God's Providence
... And you, poor, who are depressed and downcast, who are weeping because you know
not where you shall lay your heads"that wheel may revolve and you may be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/gods providence.htm

That Cicero and Other Men of Learning Erred in not Turning Away ...
... And assuredly if these things are useless, it is not right that sublime and lofty
souls should be called away and depressed to the earth, but that they should ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap iii that cicero and other.htm

Early Battles
... So cruel to her. Found her very depressed. ... 'I am He that comforteth you.' Seemed
too depressed to grasp it. 'It is for you' I said, and took her hand. ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/iv early battles.htm

Of the Building of this Temple
... There stood round about it twelve oxen, that looked to the four winds of heaven,
three to each wind, having their hinder parts depressed, that so the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 of the building.htm

Depressed (4 Occurrences)
...Depressed (4 Occurrences). Matthew 26:37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons
of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and deeply depressed. (DBY). ...
/d/depressed.htm - 8k

Low (216 Occurrences)
... 7. (superl.) Occupying an inferior position or place; not high or elevated; depressed
in comparison with something else; as, low ground; a low flight. ...
/l/low.htm - 39k

Faint (76 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) Wanting in courage, spirit, or energy; timorous; cowardly;
dejected; depressed; as, Faint heart ne'er won fair lady. ...
/f/faint.htm - 38k

Flat (33 Occurrences)
... composition. 6. (superl.) Lacking liveliness of commercial exchange and dealings;
depressed; dull; as, the market is flat. 7. (superl ...
/f/flat.htm - 21k

Hollow (35 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Depressed; concave; gaunt; sunken. ... 6. (n.) A low spot surrounded by elevations;
a depressed part of a surface; a concavity; a channel. ...
/h/hollow.htm - 20k

Nose (23 Occurrences)
... The condition indicated is most probably the depressed, flattened nose which
so often accompanies harelip, especially in its double form. ...
/n/nose.htm - 19k

Underneath (19 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. UNDERNEATH. un-der-neth' (tachath, "the bottom
(as depressed)"): "Underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27). ...
/u/underneath.htm - 12k

Groan (32 Occurrences)
... A sigh is physically a sign of respiratory distress due to depressed action of the
heart; sighing is consequently the indication of physical weakness or mental ...
/g/groan.htm - 21k

Well (2882 Occurrences)
... drawn up out of water. 8. (n.) A depressed space in the after part of the deck; --
often called the cockpit. 9. (n.) A hole or excavation ...
/w/well.htm - 39k

Fainthearted (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Wanting in courage; depressed by fear; easily
discouraged or frightened; cowardly; timorous; dejected. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/f/fainthearted.htm - 8k

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Depressed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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