9 Hymns For Christians Who Struggle With Depression

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

The hymns of William Cowper are essential to this list. His texts marry the pits of despair, which for Cowper were sometimes mires of insanity, with the glorious truths we know to be true. In worship, we’re often called to confess with our mouths things we don’t entirely believe with our hearts. I’ve found the same to be true in the tough times, and the clinical episodes.

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
and rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
of never-failing skill;
He treasures up his bright designs,
and works His sov’reign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
the clouds you so much dread
are big with mercy and shall break
in blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
but trust Him for His grace;
behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
unfolding ev’ry hour;
the bud may have a bitter taste,
but sweet will be the flow’r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
and scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
and He will make it plain.

Hymn of Promise

Including this modern hymn by Natalie Sleeth might not win me friends among church music purists, but its truth is poignant, clear, and firm. From Glory to God:

The writing of this hymn was spurred by a line from the poet T.S. Eliot: “In my end is my beginning.” Shortly after this piece was completed, the author/composer’s husband was diagnosed with what proved to be a terminal malignancy, and the original anthem version of this hymn was sung at his funeral.

In the bulb there is a flower;
in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise:
butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter
there’s a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence,
seeking word and melody;
there’s a dawn in every darkness,
bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future;
what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning;
in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing;
in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection;
at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.

Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life

It may be a surprise to see this hymn on the list, but for some reason, I always think of it when I’m struggling with depression. Loneliness and introspection are two of my deadly depression triggers, and this hymn reminds me that, whatever I’m feeling, the plight of the world and my fellow humans is part of my calling. The augmentative tune GERMANY gives my spirit a feeling of gradually, deliberately, rising out of my personal and spiritual vacuum, and quite literally, getting the hell out of bed.

Where cross the crowded ways of life,
Where sound the cries of race and clan,
Above the noise of selfish strife,
We hear thy voice, O Son of man!

In haunts of wretchedness and need,
On shadow’d thresholds dark with fears,
From paths where hide the lures of greedn
We catch the vision of thy tears.

From tender childhood’s helplessness,
From woman’s grief, man’s burden’d toil,
From famish’d souls, from sorrow’s stress,
Thy heart has never known recoil.

The cup of water given for thee
Still holds the freshness of thy grace;
Yet long these multitudes to view
The sweet compassion of your face.

O Master, from the mountainside,
Make haste to heal the hearts of pain;
Among these restless throngs abide;
O tread the city’s streets again.

Till sons of men shall learn thy love
And follow where thy feet have trod;
Till glorious from thy heavn above
Shall come the city of our God.