What does the Bible say about despondency?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible acknowledges despondency as a real experience of fear, sorrow, and crushed hope, yet calls sufferers to bring their anguish to God and rest in his covenant mercy. Job 3 and Job 17 give faithful words to profound despair, while Psalm 31:22 and Psalm 77:7-9 show believers honestly fearing abandonment before remembering the Lord's steadfast love. Deuteronomy 28:65-67 depicts the misery of life under judgment, and Numbers 17:12-13 records Israel's dread before God's holiness. Proverbs 13:12 recognizes that deferred hope makes the heart sick. Even when hearts fail, God remains righteous, near to the broken, and able to renew hope through his saving promises.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- General scriptures concerning Numbers 17:12; Numbers 17:13; Deuteronomy 28:65-67; Job 3:1-26; Job 17:13-16; Psalms 31:22; Psalms 77:7-9; Proverbs 13:12; Isaiah 2:19; Jeremiah 2:25; Jeremiah 8:20; Jeremiah 18:12
- See AFFLICTION
- See RESIGNATION
- See SORROW
- See SUFFERING
- INSTANCES OF
- Cain, when God pronounced judgment upon him for the murder of Abel Genesis 4:13; Genesis 4:14
- Hagar, when cast out of the household of Abraham on account of the jealousy of Sarah Genesis 21:15; Genesis 21:16
- Moses When sent on his mission to the Israelites Exodus 4:1; Exodus 4:10; Exodus 4:13; Exodus 6:12; Exodus 14:15; Numbers 11:15
- The Israelites, on account of the cruel oppressions of the Egyptians Exodus 6:9
- Elijah, when he fled from Jezebel to the wilderness and sat under the juniper tree, and wanted to die 1 Kings 19:4
- Jonah after he had preached to the Ninevites Jonah 4:3; Jonah 4:8
- The sailors with Paul Acts 27:20
- Job, see the above extracts from the Book of Job
- Jeremiah, see the above extracts from the Lamentations of Jeremiah
- COMFORT IN Isaiah 35:3; Isaiah 35:4; Luke 18:1-8; Hebrews 12:12; Hebrews 12:13
- See AFFLICTION, CONSOLATION IN
- See RIGHTEOUS, PROMISES TO
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