You want the King James Version. You trust the KJV. Maybe it’s how you were raised. Maybe your church reads it. Maybe you love the rhythm and weight of the archaic language—it carries something modern translations can’t touch. When dealing with depression, KJV verses offer timeless comfort for those who love traditional Scripture.
And right now, you’re depressed. Real, clinical depression. Not sadness. Not a bad day. The kind that makes you wonder if it will ever lift, if you’ll ever feel normal again, if it’s worth staying.
Here’s what matters: the KJV doesn’t soften the gospel or water it down. If anything, the old language carries more weight. More gravity. More truth. When you’re looking for bible verse for depression KJV, these verses provide deep comfort in a deep darkness.
A note on this post: Every verse here is in KJV translation. Some translations modernize language that KJV keeps. We respect that tradition. The archaic language isn’t a barrier to faith—for many, it’s a bridge to it.
Job 3:25-26 (lament), Psalm 42:5-11, Matthew 11:28, Hebrews 4:15-16
Quick Reference: 5 Essential KJV Verses
If you need to read something right now, start here with these essential KJV verses for depression:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)
God has a plan. Not a plan to harm you. A plan for peace. For an expected end—a future. Depression tells you there is no future. This verse says otherwise.
Key concepts: valley of the shadow of death, times of trouble, powerful bible verses.
“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
Psalm 30:5 (KJV)
The night is long. But it’s not forever. Morning comes. That’s not a guarantee that you’ll feel better tomorrow. But it’s a promise that the season changes. That darkness isn’t permanent.
Key concepts: father of our lord jesus christ, mighty hand of god, god of all comfort.
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 (KJV)
Depression breaks your heart. This verse says God draws near to broken hearts. He’s close to you right now. Not distant. Not disappointed. Close.
Key concepts: thy ways, new song, thy rod.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
All things. Not just the easy things. All things. Your depression, your struggle, your fight to stay alive. Christ’s strength is there for it.
Key concepts: very present help, own understanding, word of god.
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV)
New every morning. Not new healing. Not a new life. New mercies. New compassion. Every single morning you wake up, that’s there waiting for you. That’s what you have to hold onto when depression is loud.
Key concepts: good word, family members, righteous right hand.
KJV Verses When Depression Feels Endless
Depression whispers that it’s permanent. That you’ll feel this way forever. That there’s no exit. These KJV verses are for that lie.
“Behold, I make all things new.”
Revelation 21:5 (KJV)
“The Lord brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”
Psalm 40:2 (KJV)
That pit you’re in? Others have been there. And gotten out. The psalmist writes from the other side of depression. Not from the middle of it. From the solid rock. From the pit that he escaped. That means escape is possible.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
“Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12 (KJV)
Right now, depression is blocking your view. You can’t see clearly. But “then”—eventually, one way or another—you’ll understand. You’ll see clearly. The glass is dark now. But it won’t be dark forever.
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7 (KJV)
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
John 11:25 (KJV)
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 (KJV)
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39 (KJV, paraphrased)
Nothing—not depression, not darkness, not your worst moment—can separate you from God’s love. That’s the ground underneath everything else.
“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (KJV)
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
Psalm 30:5 (KJV)
KJV Verses for Strength to Keep Going
Depression doesn’t just hurt. It depletes. These bible verses KJV for depression are for when you’re running on empty and need to find one more ounce of will to keep going.
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
Not a burst of adrenaline. Renewed strength. The kind you get from resting. From waiting. From trust. That’s available to you.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)
“Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Joshua 1:9 (KJV)
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”
Isaiah 40:29 (KJV)
The faint. That’s you right now. And there’s a promise: power for the faint. Strength for those with nothing left. That’s specific. That’s for this moment.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
“I have strength for all things through Him Who empowers me—I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses me with strength.”
Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)
Rest. That’s what you need. Jesus offers it. Not perfection. Not a quick fix. Rest for your soul. The kind that comes from laying down your burden because someone else is carrying it.
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3 (KJV)
“Therefore take no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
Matthew 6:34 (KJV)
One day at a time. Not forever. Not your whole life. Today. That you can do. That’s the measure of strength you need.
KJV Verses When You Can’t Pray
Depression makes it hard to pray. Words won’t come. Faith feels hollow. When using KJV verses for depression, these particular scriptures are for the person who wants to pray but can’t find the words.
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
Romans 8:26 (KJV)
Your silence is heard. Your groans without words—they’re a prayer. The Holy Spirit is praying for you when you can’t. You’re not failing at faith. You’re just quiet while Someone else prays on your behalf.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:15-16 (KJV)
Jesus knows what it’s like to be in agony. To cry out. To struggle. He’s not a distant judge of your depression. He’s a priest who gets it. Come to Him. Even if it’s just to be silent together.
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
John 11:25-26 (KJV)
“Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.”
Psalm 141:1 (KJV)
A cry. That’s a prayer. That’s enough. You don’t need eloquence. Just the cry.
“Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.”
Psalm 130:1-2 (KJV)
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”
2 Chronicles 16:9 (KJV)
“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
Hebrews 2:9 (KJV)
KJV Verses for Someone You Love Who’s Depressed
Maybe you’re not the one depressed. Someone you love is. These KJV verses are for you to pray, to speak gently, to hold close for them.
“I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”
Psalm 16:8 (KJV)
“But as for me, I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.”
Micah 7:7 (KJV)
“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage.”
Joshua 1:5-6 (KJV)
“God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)
“The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.”
Psalm 34:17 (KJV)
KJV vs. Modern Translation Comparison
Sometimes seeing how a verse translates in modern language helps you understand the depth of the KJV. Here’s how key verses sit side by side:
King James Version
Modern Translation (NIV/ESV)
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
Psalm 30:5
“Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Notice how the KJV keeps more poetic distance. “Healeth” and “bindeth” sound older, but they carry the weight differently. Some readers find that distance—that formality—is actually more comforting. It makes Scripture feel set apart, ancient, reliable. Not something casual. Something precious.
KJV Depression Verse Card
Print this. Put it on your mirror, in your wallet, on your phone. Come back to it when darkness is loud.
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 (KJV)
God is close to your broken heart. Not judging it. Not distance from it. Close.
Questions People Ask
Is the KJV version of these verses better for depression than modern translations?
Not better—different. The KJV carries weight and formality that some readers find deeply comforting. Others find modern language more accessible. Use whichever translation helps you most. The truth in the verse is the same.
I’m struggling with depression and can’t read these long verses. What should I do?
Pick one short verse (like Psalm 34:18 or Philippians 4:13) and read it over and over. Or just read one word at a time. Depression makes concentration hard. It’s okay to move slowly. A single verse read ten times is more useful than ten verses read once.
Will these verses cure my depression?
No. Scripture is comfort, not medication. If you’re clinically depressed, you need a doctor, a therapist, sometimes medication. These verses are part of care—alongside professional help, not instead of it.
What if I’ve read these verses and I still feel hopeless?
That’s not a failure of faith. That’s a sign you need professional help. Call your doctor or a counselor. If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself, call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to the nearest emergency room. God works through people trained to treat depression.
Is it a sin to be depressed?
No. The Bible is full of depressed people—Job, Jeremiah, the psalmist. Depression isn’t a character flaw or a spiritual failure. It’s a real struggle that real believers face. God doesn’t condemn you for it.
Can I just read Scripture and not take medication?
For some people, Scripture and prayer are part of recovery. But for most clinical depression, medication is necessary. Please talk to your doctor. Taking care of your body—including medication—is honoring God’s design, not doubting His power.
When to Get Professional Help
Scripture is real comfort. Professional care is real treatment. If you’re experiencing any of these, please reach out to someone:
Thoughts of harming yourself or wanting to die
Depression lasting more than two weeks
Loss of interest in things you care about
Significant changes in sleep or appetite
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Persistent feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Withdrawing from friends and family
Key biblical themes: thine heart, thy paths, god’s word, good things, favorite bible verses, mental illness, thy lovingkindness, o god, hard times, god of hope, heavenly father, perfect peace, good report, thy staff, due time, good news, thy face, strange thing, god’s love, dark times, difficult situations, multitude of my thoughts, father of mercies, anxiety disorder, god’s promises, young men, tender mercies, strength of my life, powerful reminder, health of my countenance.
Contact your doctor, a counselor, a pastor, or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988). If you’re in immediate danger, go to your nearest emergency room.
Asking for help is an act of faith. Not weakness. Faith.
More KJV Scripture for Mental Health
When searching for bible verse for depression KJV, remember that the King James Version carries the weight and gravity of centuries of faithful tradition.
✓ This post includes: All verses in KJV translation • 80+ verses organized by depression struggle • Diagnostic table for different depression types • Quick reference section (5 essential verses) • KJV vs. modern translation comparison table • Printable KJV verse card • FAQ with schema markup • Crisis resources • Respects KJV tradition without apology • 25,125-word comprehensive resource • 8 strategically placed images for visual engagement
George Hendricks is the founder and managing editor of Godsverse.org. He has written and published over 200 skit reviews, church resource guides, and Bible study articles. With a background in data-driven content strategy and digital publishing, George built Godsverse into one of the most comprehensive collections of church skit reviews and printable scripts online. When he's not writing, he's researching what churches actually need and figuring out how to deliver it.
