Bible verses about joy, gathered from the King James Version (KJV) to read slowly, pray over, and return to.
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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.
Nehemiah 8:10Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Psalms 16:11For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psalms 30:5Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
John 16:24Now 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.
Romans 15:13Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalms 118:24They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Psalms 126:5Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:18Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1 Peter 1:8But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Galatians 5:22The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Psalms 28:7My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
James 1:2In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
Psalms 94:19For 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.
Isaiah 55:12These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
John 15:11
More on Bible Verses About Joy
Joy in the Bible runs deeper than a good mood. It is rooted in God and survives hard seasons — “the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10), and “in thy presence is fulness of joy” (Psalm 16:11). It is even listed as fruit the Spirit grows in us (Galatians 5:22), not a feeling we manufacture.
Because its source is God rather than circumstance, this joy can coexist with sorrow. James can speak of counting trials “all joy” (James 1:2), and Habakkuk rejoices in God even when the fields fail (Habakkuk 3:17-18). Paul, writing from prison, still says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).
These verses point to a gladness the world can neither give nor take away — the “joy unspeakable and full of glory” of 1 Peter 1:8.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about joy?
The Bible roots joy in God rather than circumstances. Nehemiah 8:10 calls “the joy of the LORD” our strength, Galatians 5:22 lists joy as fruit of the Spirit, and Philippians 4:4 commands rejoicing “alway.”
What is the difference between joy and happiness in the Bible?
Happiness tends to depend on what happens; biblical joy depends on God. That’s why Scripture can speak of joy in trials (James 1:2) and from prison (Philippians 4:4) — its source, God’s presence (Psalm 16:11), doesn’t change with circumstances.
What is a good Bible verse about joy?
Psalm 118:24 is widely loved: “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Nehemiah 8:10 and Philippians 4:4 are also frequently quoted.