108 Bible Verses about Joy

In the Old Testament, they celebrated joy with feasts and festivals. My joy comes from discovering God's will for my life, which the Bible reveals is good, pleasing, and perfect. It's not about what's happening around me or how I'm feeling at the moment, but about finding true joy in the salvation I have in Jesus.

I want to encourage you today to let go of any sadness you're holding onto. Cast out bitterness and resentment from your heart, and let the everlasting joy of Jesus flood your soul. You'll find you have so much to smile about, and so much less to feel down about.

Think about it: everything around you was created by God for your enjoyment. So smile for Him, and let your heart overflow with love in His presence. That gray sky will soon disappear, and He’ll paint a rainbow just for you.

He’s turned my mourning into dancing; He’s filled me with joy. Sure, life isn’t always happy-go-lucky, but in God, I find peace because I trust that He’s working everything out for my good (Romans 8:28).

Rejoice in [fellowship with] the Lord all the time. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Each person should give what he has decided to in his heart, not grudgingly, nor out of a feeling that he has to, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Be joyful as you hope [i.e., for future blessings]. Persevere in spite of the troubles you experience. Continue steadfastly in prayer.

You should be joyful at all times.Never stop praying.Thank [God] for everything, for this is what God wants for you in [the fellowship of] Christ Jesus.

So, you men also will experience grief [i.e., over my suffering and death], but I will see you again and your hearts will be glad. And no one will take away your joy.

For God’s kingdom is not a matter of what people eat or drink, but [instead, it is a matter] of doing what is right, having peace [of heart] and having [inner] joy, which come from the Holy Spirit.

Although you have not seen Jesus, you [still] love Him and believe in Him, and this causes you to have an indescribable, glorious joy.

Be happy and very glad, for your reward in heaven will be great. For they persecuted the prophets [who lived] before you in the same way.

His master replied, ‘Well done, you are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been trustworthy over a [relatively] few things, so I will place you over many things. Come and share in your master’s joy.’

So, they left the grave site quickly, with fear and great joy, and ran to give the message to His disciples.

and my spirit has rejoiced in God, my Savior.

Those of you who now have an appetite [i.e., for doing what is right] are blessed, because you will be satisfied [eventually]. Those of you who cry now [i.e., over your sins] are blessed, because you will laugh [i.e., when you are forgiven later].

Nevertheless, do not rejoice over the [evil] spirits submitting to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven [i.e., in the book of life. See Rev. 3:5; Heb. 12:23].”

I tell you that, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinful person who repents [i.e., changes his heart and life], than over ninety-nine persons who do not need to repent.

In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels [i.e., in heaven (?)] over one sinful person who repents.”

I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in your hearts, and that your joy may be complete.

Truly, truly, I tell you, you will cry and mourn [i.e., over my suffering and death], but the world will be glad [about it]. You will be sad, but your sadness will turn to joy [i.e., when learning of my resurrection].

But now I am coming to you, and I am speaking these things [while still] in the world, so that they [i.e., the apostles] may have my joy within them in all its fullness.

You have made known to me what life is all about. You will make me completely happy by your very presence.’

But the [newly won] disciples [of the Lord] were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

And not only this, but we also rejoice in our troubles, knowing that [experiencing] troubles produces endurance;and endurance [produces God’s] approval; and [His] approval [produces] hope.

May God, [the source] of hope, fill you with complete joy and peace as you believe [in Christ], so that you may have an abundance of hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I have great confidence in talking to you; I have great pride in you and I am full of encouragement [over you] In all of our troubles I am overflowing with joy.

But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,

In my every request for all of you, I make it with joy

And you should be glad and share your joy with me also.

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in [your relationship to] the Lord. It does not trouble me to write the same things to you again, because you will be safer if I do. [Note: These “same things” may refer to warnings against false teachers which Paul had either spoken to them or written about previously].

And [when you do], the peace from God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and thoughts [from anxiety] in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus.

[We also pray that you will be] strengthened with great power, according to God’s glorious might, so that you will have great endurance and patience [coupled] with joy.

You should let the message of Christ live in you abundantly [i.e., as individuals and collectively]. Use [much] wisdom in teaching and warning one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with favor [i.e., with thankfulness] in your hearts toward God.

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord. [And even though] you suffered much affliction, you welcomed the message with joy [given to you] by the Holy Spirit,

You should be joyful at all times.

Remembering how you cried [Note: This was probably when Paul and Timothy last parted], I long to see you [again], so that I can be filled with joy.

We should fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and completer of the [or, “our”] faith. [Note: Jesus is here pictured as the one who completely fulfills the life of faith, or who provides us with the ability to live such a life]. [And] because He could look forward to joy, He endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right side of God’s throne.

Consider it [an occasion for] much joy, my brothers, when you experience various trials,because you [should] know that when your faith is tested, it produces perseverance.

You should rejoice that you are sharing some of what Christ has suffered, so that you will get to rejoice all the more when He returns in His splendor.

We are writing to you about these things, so that [together] our joy may be [completely] full.

And when they saw the star, they were extremely happy.

And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for look, I am bringing good news that will cause great joy to all people.

So, he came down immediately and welcomed Jesus gladly.

The one who has the bride is the groom; but the best man, who stands up with him and listens to him [take his vows], is very happy when he hears him speak. So, [now] my joy is complete [i.e. over hearing about Jesus’ ministry].

And there was much rejoicing in Samaria [over the wonderful effects of Philip’s ministry].

So, they were sent on their way with the backing of the [Antioch] church and traveled through both Phoenicia and Samaria, telling them about the conversion of the Gentiles. This brought great rejoicing to all the brothers [who heard about it].

And pray that I will [be able to] come to you joyfully, if it is God’s will, and have a refreshing visit with you.

Finally, brothers, good-bye [or, “be glad”]. Be fully restored [spiritually]. Be comforted [or, “exhort one another”]. Think alike on things. Be at peace among yourselves. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

So, my dearly loved brothers [and sisters, See next two verses], those whom I long to see, [who are] my [reason for] being glad and [who are] my crown of victory; stand firm in [your devotion to] the Lord, my dear ones.

Now I rejoice in [spite of] my sufferings for your sake, and I am filling up [i.e., completing] in my physical body what was lacking in the afflictions Christ endured for His body’s sake, the church.

For what is [the basis of] our hope, or joy, or crown of honor in the presence of the Lord Jesus when He comes back? [Note: By “crown” Paul alludes to the laurel wreath awarded to the victor in an athletic contest]. Will it not be you people?For you people are [indeed] our [occasion for] honor and joy.

For how can we thank God [enough] for you, in return for all the joy we have over you, in the presence of our God?

I was very happy when I learned that my children [i.e., members of the congregation there] are living in [harmony with the] truth, just as we have been commanded to do by the Father.

For I was very happy when some of the brothers came and told me that you are being [faithful] in the truth [i.e., the word of God], and that you are living according to it, [as well].I do not have any greater joy than to hear that my [spiritual] children are living according to the truth.

Now, may there be honor and majesty and power to God, who is able to guard you people from stumbling [and falling away from Him, See Gal. 5:4], and [who is able] to place you before His glorious presence without any [moral] blemish, but with great joy.

Prayer