Bible Verses About Joy

Joy in the Bible is sturdier than happiness. It can sit alongside sorrow, show up in prison cells, and grow through hard seasons. These verses describe joy as a gift from God's presence, a strength for weary people, and something worth choosing on purpose. Some are bright songs of celebration; others were written through tears. Read them on a good day to say thank you, or on a hard day to remember that joy will come again.

1. Nehemiah 8:10

   KJV

   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.

   BSB

   Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

2. Psalm 16:11

   KJV

   Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

   BSB

   You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

3. Psalm 30:5

   KJV

   For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

   BSB

   For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.

4. Psalm 118:24

   KJV

   This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

   BSB

   This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

5. Psalm 126:3

   KJV

   The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

   BSB

   The LORD has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

6. Psalm 126:5

   KJV

   They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

   BSB

   Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.

7. Psalm 51:12

   KJV

   Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

   BSB

   Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.

8. Psalm 4:7

   KJV

   Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

   BSB

   You have filled my heart with more joy than when grain and new wine abound.

9. Philippians 4:4

   KJV

   Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

   BSB

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

10. 1 Thessalonians 5:16

    KJV

    Rejoice evermore.

    BSB

    Rejoice at all times.

11. Romans 15:13

    KJV

    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.

    BSB

    Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

12. Romans 12:12

    KJV

    Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

    BSB

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

13. John 15:11

    KJV

    These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

    BSB

    I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

14. John 16:22

    KJV

    And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

    BSB

    So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

15. John 16:24

    KJV

    Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

    BSB

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

16. James 1:2

    KJV

    My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

    BSB

    Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,

17. Galatians 5:22

    KJV

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

    BSB

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

18. Proverbs 17:22

    KJV

    A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

    BSB

    A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

19. Proverbs 15:13

    KJV

    A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

    BSB

    A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.

20. Isaiah 61:10

    KJV

    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.

    BSB

    I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

21. Isaiah 55:12

    KJV

    For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

    BSB

    You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

22. Habakkuk 3:18

    KJV

    Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

    BSB

    yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!

23. 1 Peter 1:8

    KJV

    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:

    BSB

    Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

24. Zephaniah 3:17

    KJV

    The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

    BSB

    The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.”

25. Luke 2:10

    KJV

    And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

    BSB

    But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:

26. Psalm 5:11

    KJV

    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.

    BSB

    But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever shout for joy. May You shelter them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.

27. Hebrews 12:2

    KJV

    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.

    BSB

    Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.