What does the Bible say about joy?

Key Bible verses about joy

1. Psalm 16:11

   You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.

2. Philippians 4:4

   Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”

3. Nehemiah 8:10

   Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

4. John 15:11

   I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.

5. Romans 15:13

   Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.

6. Galatians 5:22

   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,

7. James 1:2-3

   Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

8. 1 Peter 1:8-9

   whom, not having known, you love. In him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

9. Psalm 30:5

   For his anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

10. Habakkuk 3:17-18

    For even though the fig tree doesn’t flourish, nor fruit be in the vines, the labor of the olive fails, the fields yield no food, the flocks are cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

11. Hebrews 12:2

    looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

12. Luke 15:10

    Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”

Scripture: World English Bible (public domain). Short quotations in the introduction are from the ESV. Read each passage in its chapter for the full context.