10 Bible Verses About Joy — Old Testament
Joy is an oft repeated emotion in the Bible since God wants His people to have joy. These 10 Bible verses about joy from the Old Testament are from the way they appear in the Bible.
Nehemiah 8:10
“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (KJV)
The context of this verse is the Jews rebuilding the wall around the previously destroyed city of Jerusalem. After the wall was finished, Ezra the scribe read from God’s Word, while others explained what was being read. They had a church service! When the people heard what God wrote to them, and they realized how far they had strayed from God’s Word, they wept, knowing that they had displeased their God, and were repentant.
Seeing their desire to obey God’s word, Nehemiah, Ezra, and the other Godly leaders encouraged the people to eat and drink on this particular day. They were to make it a feast day since their repentance caused God to be joyful. True obedience and repentance toward God give Him joy, and when His people bask in His joy, He gives them strength.
Psalm 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.”
This verse tells us that life has a “path,” and the Psalmist is asking God to show him this path. If God shows us the path of life that means that He is near to us. In His presence there is not only joy, but also “fullness of joy.” Also, in God’s presence and at His right hand, He has everlasting pleasures for us. This verse is also a glimpse of heaven.
Proverbs 17:22
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” (KJV)
A joyful heart is good medicine, but when a person has a crushed spirit, it also negatively affects their physical health.
Isaiah 35:10
“And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (KJV)
This wonderful and prophetic verse about songs of joy has a dual fulfillment. It is referring both to the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ as well as the promise of heaven. It may even be looking forward to the new heaven and the new earth.
Isaiah 61:3
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (KJV)
There are several “trades” mentioned in this verse. When you give God your ashes, He give you beauty. When you give Him your mourning, He will give you the oil of joy. When you give Him the spirit of heaviness, He will give you the garment of praise. When we give God our worthless things, He will give us things that are far better so that He will be glorified, and we will get the benefit.
Isaiah 61:10
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” (KJV)
This verse follows the preceding one praising God for His provision, which can only be compared to the beauty of a bride and groom on their wedding day.
Jeremiah 15:16
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” (KJV)
The prophet Jeremiah rejoiced to both find God’s Word and to “eat” it. He read, understood, and sought to obey God’s word. Obedience to what God commands in His Word brings joy to both you and God.
Joel 1:12
“The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.” (KJV)
This poetic language is prophetic. The prophet Joel is both predicting a coming famine where locusts devour all of the food crops. But the coming locusts that he predicts is also hordes of Babylonian invaders into the land of Israel as a judgment on God’s disobedient people. With such dire predictions, there would not be much, if any, good news.
Amos 9:13
“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.” (KJV)
This exciting verse is looking forward to the reign of Jesus Christ on Earth, also known as the Millennial reign of Christ. When He, the very Creator, is “in charge” of Earth, the lands will produce abundant food.
Habakkuk 3:17-18
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” (KJV)
These verses are a great expression of faith in God. The prophet Habakkuk declares that no matter what calamites would come to him, he will still rejoice in God. He could say this because he knew that God had his eternal soul safe, and that safety is better than any of our present, temporary troubles.
10 Bible Verses About Joy — New Testament
These 10 Bible verses about joy from the New Testament are grouped according to how they appear in God’s Word.
Luke 15:10
“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (KJV)
Joy is one result of repentance. There is joy in heaven when a person repents, and the individual gets joy as well.
Romans 8:39
“Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (KJV)
This verse finishes a list of things that the Apostle Paul was saying, and that no one could separate God’s children from God’s love. Paul used the title “Christ Jesus” which signified the risen, powerful Conqueror Who had conquered death. Paul wants us to understand that nothing in this world is more powerful than God. Truly, this is a reason to have joy.
Romans 14:17
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (KJV)
In this life, eating brings us joy. But the Apostle Paul encourages us to look beyond this life and into the spiritual kingdom of God. There our joy is found in righteousness and peace with the presence of God.
Romans 15:13
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (KJV)
Hope is a good emotion. Hope from the very God of hope brings abundant joy and peace through the powerful presence of God Himself. This verse does not say, “power of the Holy Spirit” even though the Holy Ghost is another name for the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul chose to use the title “Holy Ghost” to show the close, comforting essence of the powerful spirit of God as He gives His children the blessing of hope.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (KJV)
The fruit of God’s spirit is a single fruit, but with many aspects. Joy is just one part of this wonderfully complex fruit.
Philippians 2:2
“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” (KJV)
The Apostle Paul, writing to the Christians at the church of Philippi, instructs them to be unified. As they serve the Lord together with a single mind, his joy would be full. It is vitally important to have unity in the local church. Despite personality differences, all of God’s people should be working toward a common goal, and that is to obey and serve God.
1 Thessalonians 2:19
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” (KJV)
People themselves are a source of joy. Other Christians are actually a crown of rejoicing to those who care about them.
Hebrews 12:2
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (KJV)
When Jesus went to the cross, He was being obedient to His Father. It was the will of God, but still, it was a hard thing for Him to do. Yet He was a faithful servant who looked beyond the difficulties and saw the joy that He would gain after He finished His hard task.
1 Peter 1:7-9
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 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: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” (KJV)
Trials are not easy things, and there are trials of many kinds. But the Apostle Peter said that the testing of your faith is more precious than gold. He alludes that those who endure such trials will eventually receive praise, honor, and glory — all of which will bring great and pure joy — when they meet Jesus Christ. These verses are an encouragement to look beyond our present difficult situations and look forward to eternal pleasures.
3 John 1:4
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (KJV)
Every parent wants the best for their children, and spiritual parents are no different. When the Apostle John heard that his spiritual children were doing God’s will, he said that this knowledge gave him the most joy.
May these two sets of 10 Bible verses about joy help you to have more joy in your own Christian life.
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