Bible Verses About Joy

The joy of the Christian rests on who God is and what Jesus has done. It is a joy that remains even when circumstances fail.

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What the Bible says

Christian joy began with a birth announcement. The angel said, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10–11). Joy is good news about a Saviour. Heaven itself shares it, for “joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:7).

Joy in the Lord does not depend on how things are going. Paul wrote from his bonds, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). Habakkuk looked at failed crops and empty stalls and still said, “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:18). The joy rests not in the harvest, but in the God of salvation.

Jesus wants His people to have His own joy. “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11). He promised a joy the world cannot steal: “your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you” (John 16:22). David found its source: “in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).

This joy is strength and it is the fruit of the Spirit. “The joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace” (Galatians 5:22). Jesus Himself, “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). When sin dims our joy, we may pray as David did, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation” (Psalm 51:12).

14 verses, King James Version

  1. Luke 2:10–11

    Good tidings of great joy

    10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

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  2. John 16:22

    Joy no man taketh from you

    22And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

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  3. Galatians 5:22

    Joy is fruit of the Spirit

    22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

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  4. Psalms 51:12

    Restore the joy of salvation

    12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

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  5. Philippians 4:4

    Joy that is always in season

    4Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

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  6. Psalms 16:11

    Joy in God’s presence

    11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

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  7. Nehemiah 8:10

    His joy is your strength

    10Then 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.

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  8. John 15:11

    Jesus shares His joy

    11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

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  9. 1 Peter 1:8–9

    Joy in a Savior you have not seen

    8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

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  10. Psalms 126:3

    He has done great things

    3The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

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  11. Habakkuk 3:17–18

    Joy when everything fails

    17Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

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  12. Luke 10:20

    Rejoice that your name is in heaven

    20Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

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  13. Isaiah 61:10

    Clothed in salvation

    10I 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.

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  14. Zephaniah 3:17

    God rejoices over His people

    17The 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.

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Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (public domain). Read aloud by Anthony.