Psalm 13 and Depression

I remember being a “miserable undergraduate” student in college and hearing this song written by Shane and Shane. This was back when Shane and Shane were just becoming popular, and I couldn’t get enough of it. It is called “Psalm 13.” There is just something about the blues that a college kid can get when he is away from home, and overworked, and doing college full-time. This song resonates with such an individual.

But Psalm 13 itself is a lament Psalm. The psalmist weeps and cries. When we read this, we need to be careful not to do two things:

1.) minimize the suffering itself; and

2.) while being truthful about that, you also need to be true to who God is. God is present. This needs to hold rather than just being caught up in the suffering itself.

You have to hold on to both of these. You need to not minimize the suffering, as it is, nor doubt who God is in the midst of all that you are going through.

We know also that psychological needs exist because the psalmist suffers for their lack in his life. Read Psalm 13 (NIV):

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
    and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

But I trust in your unfailing love;
    my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise,
    for he has been good to me.

It is those who would “accuse” the psalmist that are the source of his own deep depression. It seems as though God Himself is distant and far off, while his enemies deride him and rejoice at his calamities. It is hard for us to endure life without the camaraderie of at least one good friend who cheers us on, then tells us where we fail, or simply shares the joys we have. We need someone there and bseide us with regard to the pains we suffer.

Psychologically, even the angst of modern commerce and enterprise, or the stretched and busy lifestyle, and the separated family life, is all very difficult to endure. With this in play, what a terrible difference it makes when we don’t at least have one person who esteems us unconditionally enough to share the small triumphs or to tell us where we falter. How tremendous it is to have someone to listen and take part! Such people may even help to straighten out our family life or personal decisions. This psychological need shows how desperately we want kinship and fellowship as people. The psalmist decries the presence of his enemies that seem to overwhelm him.

The ideal place to address this is in the local church. But so often church is treated as a place to congregate and to meet once and only once a week. Where are the small groups? Where are the people who walk beside us in our lives? If this is lacking in your life, I pray for you. psychological needs may not be as severe a need as food or water, but life is hardly worth living without them being satisfied. Find a good church and be there physically. And meet with people more than just on Sunday. One thing that the modern church needs now more desperately than ever is discipleship. Too often, church is treated like a one day stop without the benefit of mentorship and counsel.

And if you have enemies who despise your success in life, or your spiritual success just like the Psalmist, then you may in fact be able to endure with patience the hatred of certain people if you also have the presence of God. How much better if you have the presence of His people as well? Turn first to God, then to His local body.

Jesus Himself was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Take your prayers to Him who sympathizes with all your weaknesses just as the psalmist does, even in tears. He will hold you fast. He shares in our weaknesses and the trials of this life. Turn first to Him who loves you more than anyone else on earth ever could, and find a sense of community and fellowship with like-minded people at church. Be there for the main service and seek the camaraderie of small groups and individuals.