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16th November: Depression

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Ps 42:5 (NIV)

The writer of the 42nd and 43rd Psalms (which comprises one song) suffered from reactive depression and anxiety. He was one of the many Levites who were cut off from worship of the Lord in Jerusalem when the kingdom of Israel was divided after the death of Solomon. As he thought of his situation, he became depressed (his soul seemed to have `sunk down') and anxious and disturbed. There are many people like this in the world today. Some are refugees, trying to find a new life in strange surroundings, often among people whose culture and language is different from their own. It is any wonder that many of them become anxious and depressed, and exhibit all kinds of psychosomatic symptoms?

What is the answer? While anti-depressant and anxiolytic drugs may be useful `first-aid treatment`, we should be careful not to think they are a complete answer to the problem. We should look rather at the solution which this Levite found some 2900 years ago. It immediately follows the words we have quoted in each of the three refrains of this song.

`Hope in God, for I shall praise him
For the help of his presence'.

Although his circumstance had changed dramatically, he knew that God had not changed. He was `the living God', his rock, and his exceeding joy. He prayed to God to send out his light and his truth to lead him: and the final stanza of the Psalm ends on a note of praise: `I will praise you, O God, my God'. Praise and thanksgiving are often the best antidote for depression and anxiety. Try it for yourself: then recommend it to your patients.

Lord, when I feel depressed teach me to look up to you,
and to praise and thank you for all that you are in yourself,
and all you have done for me.

Further reading: Ps 42:1-43:5.

JWMcM