9 Hymns for Those Struggling with Anxiety and Depression

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.