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25 Bible Verses on Joy

Want to know what God says about happiness in Scripture? Use these 25 Bible verses on joy to give you a more joyful heart in every season of life.

Christians and non-Christians alike are always searching for ways to bring more happiness and joy into their lives, and for good reason!

Joy can:

It’s not just something that just “happens” to us, though.

If we just go with the flow and follow our human emotions through life, chances are, it will drown us in worry and anxiety.

Live in such a way that you capture joy.

Seek it daily. Be grateful for it when it comes easily. Fight for it when it doesn’t.

What Does The Bible Say About Joy And Happiness?

I love the Bible verses on joy below because they confirm that joy is a beautiful gift from God that can be experienced in every season of your life, no matter what you are going through.

You don’t have to have a perfect life to experience joy.

You can experience joy right where you are right now.

There absolutely is a difference between happiness and joy, though.

There is an excellent devotional on this topic on the GCU website that describes that happiness is an emotion that can come and go while joy is more a long-lasting state of being.

This article by Christianity.com describes joy as being something you experience internally while happiness is something you experience outwardly when your circumstances create happy feelings. Joy is selfless while happiness feels blissful.

The joy described in Scripture is so much deeper than a fleeting feeling. Read on to see what I mean in the Bible verses about joy below.

Scriptures On Joy – Bible Verses About Joy

Want to know what God says about happiness in Scripture? Use these 10 Bible verses on joy to give you a more happy and joyful heart in every season of life.

1. James 1:2-3 – Pure Joy In Suffering & Trials

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1:2-3
Want to know what God says about happiness in Scripture? Use these 10 Bible verses on joy to give you a more happy and joyful heart in every season of life.

Joy doesn’t come easy during trials. During difficult seasons of life, it’s so much easier to get carried away by worry and anxiety.

But God gives us a better way! Even in our struggles, we can can experience pure joy in choosing to silence those inner voices and trust God on a deeper level than we ever have before.

Is it easy? Definitely not!

Is it worth the fight? Every single time.

2. 1 Peter 1:8-9 – Joy Unspeakable

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:8-9
Want to know what God says about happiness in Scripture? Use these 10 Bible verses on joy to give you a more happy and joyful heart in every season of life.

It can be tough when we are living here in the world and God feels so far away. We ache for something tangible to cling to.

That’s why we have Bible verses to reassure us that there is more to life than what we can see right in front of us.

God is here. And believing that in the depth of our souls, with all of heart, fills us with joy unspeakable! So overwhelmingly wonderful that there aren’t even words to express that amount of happiness.

3. 2 John 1:12 – Joy In Relationships

I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

2 John 1:12
Want to know what God says about happiness in Scripture? Use these 10 Bible verses on joy to give you a more happy and joyful heart in every season of life.

Most of these Bible verses are just referring to joy in your relationship with God, but this verse is talking about the joy in human connection.

Have you ever been in a long-distance relationship? Had a family member deployed?

Writing letters, typing emails, and hearing their voice over phone calls is wonderful, but that moment when you get to hold them in your arms again? There is such joy in that tangible connection with friends and family members!

4. – Luke  15:7 – Joy In Repentance

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Luke  15:7
Want to know what God says about happiness in Scripture? Use these 10 Bible verses on joy to give you a more happy and joyful heart in every season of life.

Oh, what a beautiful thing when someone recognizes their need for Jesus!

Repentance is so much more than a person recognizing the error of their ways. It isn’t even really about that inner remorse and it certainly isn’t about simply hanging your head in shame.

Instead of regret, this joy is about restoring a broken relationship with God, accepting his unfathomable gift of forgiveness, and choosing to walk in His ways.

That is surely reason for heaven to rejoice!

5. Nehemiah 8:10 – The Joy Of The Lord Is My Strength

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10
Want to know what God says about happiness in Scripture? Use these 10 Bible verses on joy to give you a more happy and joyful heart in every season of life.

Knowing God is who He says He is is great. Believing God will do what he says He can do is also good.

But, the joy of the Lord is something you experience to gain this strength.

Sure, we love the feeling of joy, but it’s more powerful than we can even fathom!

When we find our true joy in the Lord, that joy isn’t just something that brings us happiness and contentment.

It can be a source of strength in our lives.

6. 2 Corinthians 6:10 – Rejoicing In Our Sorrow

Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

2 Corinthians 6:10
Want to know what God says about happiness in Scripture? Use these 10 Bible verses on joy to give you a more happy and joyful heart in every season of life.

Jesus brought a message to the world that was so counter-cultural.

It doesn’t make sense to rejoice in our sorrow, but it is possible!

God clothes us in joy and turns our mourning into dancing!

7. Psalm 30:5 – Joy In The Morning

For his anger lasts only a moment,
    but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
    but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:5
Want to know what God says about happiness in Scripture? Use these 10 Bible verses on joy to give you a more happy and joyful heart in every season of life.

This is such a comforting Psalm, assuring us of a brighter future.

No, this Bible verse may not mean a joyful morning in a literal tomorrow. It isn’t a formula that gives us a timeline for our struggles. But this Scripture does give us a hope to cling to.

These days are hard, but not meaningless.

God is ever-faithful and will fulfill all of His promises. These struggles we are experiencing may feel endless, they are still temporary.

Rejoicing is ahead!

8. Galatians 5:22-23 – Joy Is A Fruit Of The Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23
Want to know what God says about happiness in Scripture? Use these 10 Bible verses on joy to give you a more happy and joyful heart in every season of life.

This is one of my favorite Bible verses on joy because it draws such a beautiful picture of the marks of a Christian life.

Sometimes we get sucked into thinking that suffering is somehow a mark of a successful Christian life – constantly going without ourselves to provide for others.

Generosity is certainly a godly trait, but there should be joy behind the giving!

The choices we make to bring glory to Christ are acts of love that both serve and satisfy.

9. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice Always

 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Want to know what God says about happiness in Scripture? Use these 10 Bible verses on joy to give you a more happy and joyful heart in every season of life.

“Rejoice always.” What a powerful sentiment!

We are not called to just rejoice when things go well or how we want (or expect) them to go.

There is joy out there waiting for us in every circumstance – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Take the time to look for it and capture it. This is not about ignoring or downplaying the struggles in your life. Experiencing joy isn’t about denying that life is hard.

Rejoicing always is a joy that is bigger than our circumstances, knowing our beautiful, perfect future in Christ will be wholly fulfilled.

Isn’t it beautiful that part of God’s will for us is JOY?

10. John 16:24 – Complete Joy

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

John 16:24
Want to know what God says about happiness in Scripture? Use these 10 Bible verses on joy to give you a more happy and joyful heart in every season of life.

Can you imagine a joy like the one described in this Scripture? A joy that is complete, lacking nothing.

The things that bring us momentary pleasure in life – food, smiles, a new relationship – all of those things are wonderful, but they tend to leave us aching for more. That’s what sets Biblical joy apart – when we are depending on Jesus, we will be fully satisfied.

Asking can feel so selfish when God has already blessed us with so much, but He so delights when we ask, seek, and knock, desiring more of His will in our lives.

11. Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

– Romans 15:13

12. Jeremiah 15:16

When your words came, I ate them;
    they were my joy and my heart’s delight,
for I bear your name,
    Lord God Almighty.

– Jeremiah 15:16

13. Psalm 16:11

You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

– Psalm 16:11

14. Romans 14:17

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

– Romans 14:17

15. Psalm 5:11

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
    let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

– Psalm 5:11

16. Psalm 30:11

You turned my wailing into dancing;
    you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

– Psalm 30:11

17. Psalm 16:8-9

I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest secure,

– Psalm 16:8-9

18. Psalm 71:23

My lips will shout for joy
    when I sing praise to you—
    I whom you have delivered.

– Psalm 71:23

19. Psalm 118:24

The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.

– Psalm 118:24

20. John 15:10-11

If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

– John 15:10-11

21. John 16:24

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

– John 16:24

22. Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

– Philippians 4:4

23. Luke 1:47

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

Luke 1:47

24. Romans 5:11

Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

– Romans 5:11

25. Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

– Romans 12:12

Looking For More Posts On Joy?

THE TRICK TO CAPTURING JOY

FINDING MAGNIFICENT JOY IN MONDAY MORNINGS

15 BIBLE VERSES ON THANKFULNESS

SAVORING TODAY – A LIFE OF EVERYDAY GRATITUDE

WHY YOUR GRATITUDE JOURNAL ISN’T MAKING YOU GRATEFUL

30 DAYS OF GRATITUDE CHALLENGE

HOW JOY CAN HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT

Layla

Thursday 9th of June 2022

I recall feeling this joy when god saved me in 1993...im trying to stir up that confidence in knowing HIM is pure JOY AMEN

Becky

Monday 11th of July 2022

Oh, I love this so much. I've been reminded lately how important it is to just remember what the Lord has done - in the Bible but also in our own lives. There is so much power in remembering those influential times when the Lord touched our hearts!

Kyrious Kyrion

Tuesday 4th of January 2022

Beauty for ashes oil of joy for mourning

Sandy Hammontre

Wednesday 17th of October 2018

Becky, You are not going to believe How you are an answer to prayer. I woke up in the middle of the night , night before last with This Phrase written on my heart: FIGHT FOR JOY. My response all day yesterday was: "Alright , Lord, I will. My question today was HOW? I open up facebook and my how is answered. God is so good, when I don't deserve it at all. Mercy!!! Thank you for being willing to be a servant

Becky

Thursday 18th of October 2018

Sandy, I LOVE when God shows us His answers so quickly and tangibly like that! What a powerful mission, fighting for joy. Praise God for answered prayers and clear direction! <3