Lord’s Library editors answer the question “What does the Bible say about joy?” with specific Bible references.
Have you ever asked yourself the question “What does the Bible say about joy?” If you have, you’re definitely not alone! And since the Bible helps Christians form a foundational understanding of important topics, it’s imperative that one know how Scripture describes joy in different contexts. The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines joy as “The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good.”
Now armed with a basic definition of joy, Lord’s Library editors thought it would be a helpful exercise to provide Biblical context. As a result, we compiled this short resource which captures all notable mentions of the word joy, as well as its other forms. If you’ve been wondering what the King James Bible says about joy, scroll on for additional detail.
Note: If you want to know what the Bible says about joy and 206 other important topics (to be exact), our editors recommend Spencer Smith’s Doctrine Matters: Bible Topic Guidebook.
What Does the Bible Say About Joy?
Psalms 5:11
“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”
John 15:9-12
“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”
Psalms 16:11
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Habakkuk 3:18
“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
Isaiah 51:11
“Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.”
Psalms 30:5
“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
1 Peter 1:8
“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”
Psalms 32:11
“Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
Psalms 51:12
“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”
Proverbs 12:20
“Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.”
Proverbs 23:24
“The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.”
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