The term "dismal" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of dismal situations, emotions, and experiences is prevalent throughout the Scriptures. The Bible often addresses themes of despair, sorrow, and darkness, which can be understood as dismal conditions. These themes are explored in various contexts, including personal lamentations, national crises, and spiritual struggles.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the dismal state of humanity is often depicted through the experiences of the Israelites. The Book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, is a poignant expression of sorrow and mourning over the destruction of Jerusalem. Lamentations 3:19-20 captures this sentiment: "Remember my affliction and wandering, the wormwood and the gall. Surely my soul remembers and is humbled within me."

The Psalms also frequently express dismal emotions, as seen in Psalm 88:3-4 : "For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. I am counted among those descending to the Pit; I am like a man without strength." These verses reflect the psalmist's deep sense of despair and abandonment, a common human experience that resonates with the dismal.

Prophetic Writings

The prophetic books often describe dismal conditions as a result of Israel's disobedience and the subsequent judgment from God. Isaiah 8:22 speaks of a time of distress and darkness: "Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and the gloom of anguish. And they will be driven into utter darkness." This passage highlights the consequences of turning away from God, resulting in a dismal state of existence.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, dismal situations are addressed through the hope and redemption found in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul acknowledges the dismal state of humanity apart from God in Romans 3:23 : "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This recognition of sin and its consequences underscores the dismal reality of life without divine intervention.

However, the New Testament also offers a message of hope amidst dismal circumstances. In John 16:33 , Jesus assures His disciples: "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world." This promise of overcoming the world's dismal conditions through faith in Christ provides a source of comfort and strength for believers.

Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently presents dismal situations as opportunities for spiritual growth and reliance on God. James 1:2-4 encourages believers to view trials as a means of developing perseverance and maturity: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Throughout Scripture, the dismal is not an end in itself but a pathway to deeper faith and reliance on God's promises. The biblical narrative assures believers that even in the darkest times, God's presence and faithfulness remain steadfast, offering hope and redemption.1. (a.) Fatal; ill-omened; unlucky.

2. (a.) Gloomy to the eye or ear; sorrowful and depressing to the feelings; foreboding; cheerless; dull; dreary; as, a dismal outlook; dismal stories; a dismal place.

Christ Hath Left the Dismal Tomb; --
... EASTER IX Christ hath left the dismal tomb;". 7,8,7,6. Christ hath left the dismal
tomb;". Glory, Glory, He is risen; Like a cloud hath passed the gloom,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the russian church/ix christ hath left the.htm

The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ...
... was a crisis of intense excitement. The crucifixion had cast a dismal cloud
over their prospects; for. CHAPTER I. THE LORD'S DAY"THE ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the lords daythe.htm

Genesis iii. 22
... But when the declaration has been made to us by God himself, that this dismal swamp
in which we are prisoners is but an infinitely small portion of his universe ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture i genesis iii 22.htm

A Detached Account of the Descent into Hell.
... In the city of Hell nothing is to be seen but dismal dungeons, dark caverns, frightful
deserts, fetid swamps filled with every imaginable species of poisonous ...
/.../chapter lix a detached account.htm

Impressive Phrases
... gleam, glimmer, glance, and glitter. gloomy, dismal, dark, and dejected. ... phrases,
figures, metaphors, and quotations. piteous, woebegone, dismal, and dolorous. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

The Weeping Saviour.
... how sin had blasted and scathed His noblest workmanship; converting the fairest
province of His creation into one vast Necropolis,"one dismal "city of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xii the weeping saviour.htm

By Far the Ablest of These Seven Essays is from the Pen of the " ...
... here. As dismal a view might be easily taken of the first, of the second,
of the third, of the fourth, of the fifth century. What ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/vi by far the ablest.htm

The Life of Mr. Alexander Peden.
... After they were set at liberty, Mr. Peden stayed in London and other places of England
until June 1670, that he came to Scotland, and that dismal day, the 22d ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr alexander 2.htm

Hymns of the Russian Church
... VII Light, ere the dawn in beauty broke,. VIII Awake, arise, and greet the dawning
day,. IX Christ hath left the dismal tomb;--. X The gate of life stands wide, ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns of the russian church/

The Ancient Church
... of intense excitement. The crucifixion had cast a dismal cloud over their
prospects; for. CHAPTER II. THE EXTRAORDINARY TEACHERS ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/

Dismal (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Gloomy to the eye or ear; sorrowful and depressing to the feelings; foreboding;
cheerless; dull; dreary; as, a dismal outlook; dismal stories; a dismal...
/d/dismal.htm - 7k

Gloom (29 Occurrences)
... imperfectly; to glimmer. 6. (vi) To become dark or dim; to be or appear dismal,
gloomy, or sad; to come to the evening twilight. 7. (vt) To ...
/g/gloom.htm - 15k

Dismay (16 Occurrences)

/d/dismay.htm - 11k

Jackal (3 Occurrences)
... They are cowardly, nocturnal, and gregarious. They feed largely on carrion,
and are noted for their piercing and dismal howling. ...
/j/jackal.htm - 15k

Gethsemane (2 Occurrences)
... what must have always been the great thoroughfare eastward, that our Lord would
scarcely have selected it for retirement on that dangerous and dismal night...I ...
/g/gethsemane.htm - 11k

Gloomy (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Imperfectly illuminated; dismal through
obscurity or darkness; dusky; dim; clouded; as, the cavern was gloomy. ...
/g/gloomy.htm - 9k

Waste (668 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Desolate; devastated; stripped; bare;
hence, dreary; dismal; gloomy; cheerless. 2. (a.) Lying ...
/w/waste.htm - 37k

Rachel (42 Occurrences)
... The evil of polygamy is apparent from the dismal rivalry arising between the two
sisters, each seeking by means of children to win the heart of Jacob. ...
/r/rachel.htm - 24k

Doleful (2 Occurrences)
... Some render the word "hyaenas.". Noah Webster's Dictionary. (a.) Full of grief;
melancholy; sorrowful; sad; dismal. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DOLEFUL. ...
/d/doleful.htm - 8k

Disloyal (1 Occurrence)

/d/disloyal.htm - 6k

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