16 Bible Verses About Joy and Happiness for a Joyful Heart

Author:
Dexter Whinfield
Updated:
Oct 18, 2021 2:22 PM EDT

Joy is eternal, it's a promise from God which occurs 165 times in 155 verses in the KJV Bible. I have carefully and prayerfully selected these scriptures; they are some of the most powerful, thoughtful, and beautiful verses you'll find in the bible.

The bible is the saints' manual for victorious living, in it, you will find countless promises that the devil doesn't want you to know. But I trust as you read these incredible bible verses on joy and happiness you'll increase in hope and be able to resist the devil.

Bible Verses About Joy and Happiness

1. Romans 15:13

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Ask and you'll receive, seek, and you'll find. But just maybe, you've been asking but not receiving and seeking and not finding. As such, you may be finding it hard to rejoice because there's no reason to.

Does it sound like you? Is this sounds familiar occurrence in your life? Does this ring a bell? Don't give up, there's still hope for you.

Your best days are still to come, God isn’t through with you yet, and He hasn’t forgotten His promises to you. Discouragement and sorrow might be your reality now, but God has a good plan for you, a plan to bless you with His favor and to direct your life in the path of joy, peace, and success.

Don’t give up on God, He will lead you out of sorrow. If you read the Bible as much as I do, you will understand that in order to get to point “B”—you first need to go through point “A.”

Before you can experience the thrills of the mountain—you must first experience the base of the valley. But while you are waiting in the valley—God has you on His mind. So even though there's anything to excite you right now...by faith embrace this verse and begin to rejoice. It’s just a matter of time until God fulfills all your expectations.

2. Psalm 128:2

"Your reward will be prosperity, happiness, and well-being (PTP Version)

"For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee (KJV).

3. Nehemiah 8:10

"Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

The nature of life is such that at some point you will experience failure. But (Proverbs 24:16) says “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by a calamity.” This verse is teaching us that if we fall—we will rise again to the smell of success.

Joy and hope are virtues that inspire strength to rise again. That said, finding the strength to get up after a fall is quite a task to perform without joy and hope. The man that Proverbs 24:16 describes is a joyful man, a man that hopes in the darkest hour, and he rejoices even when there isn't anything good to rejoice about. Such a man will ultimately succeed—because he rejoices in God amidst his failures.

In Nehemiah 8:10, Nehemiah was encouraging the people of Israel to rejoice. Until that point, the children of Israel had suffered a lot in captivity. They were sorrowful, hopeless, and felt defeated. They were total failures in their own eyes while in bondage in Babylon. Also, the people's knowledge about God, and what He thought about them was very limited.

It wasn't until Nehemiah and the other leaders read and explained the law of God to them—that they understood and felt a sense of happiness, fulfillment, and accomplishment. They were now happy and greatly rejoicing with thanksgiving.

Finally, they understood that all the time while in captivity God was with them, and in spite, they had suffered and felt abandon in Babylon—God still had them on His mind.

If you're still sorrowful and finding it hard to rejoice in God—I'd encourage you to meditate on this verse, allow it to soak in a bit, then stand up and shout God a high note of praise. Victory is in your praise, and you're only now getting started.

4. Psalms 94:19

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy."

Anxiety is a byproduct of worry, and the devil is the chief architect behind any situation that will cause you to worry. It’s no secret that the devil hates you, and he will do everything and anything within his power to steal your joy. But you must stand your ground and fight the good fight of faith. Life's trials will try to frustrate you, but you must nevertheless exercise patience and wait on God—His grace will sustain you, and His joy will revive your weary and sorrowful soul.

You are God's child, and you have a right to experience God's joy, so allow this encouraging verse to bless your heart.

5. Psalms 118:24

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

Joy isn't an unrealistic way of life—it's God's intended way of life. If pursue, joy has the power to almost instantly transform our lives. Joy is a free gift available to everyone, and it does not take much experience. Simply believe in the promises of God and exalt Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord.

It is when you invite Christ into your life that you can really enjoy and appreciate even small blessings. When Christ is in your vessel you will never miss an opportunity to rejoice over the seemingly smaller blessing in life.

Start your day with thanksgiving and take time out to rejoice over small blessings— when you do, God will shower you with greater ones.

6. Ecclesiastes 9:7

"Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do."

If God is for you, then who or what can come against you? No one or nothing can. But don't be surprised if the devil uses people, your past, and situations to discourage you. His motive is to make you feel unworthy as a child of God. If he succeeds—sorrows and regrets will be your portion

The devil is a lier and you must recognize him for who he is—a lier. You must never allow people, your past, or situations to hold you captive, you are who God says you are—His child.

In this verse, God took the time out to reinforce His delight over you. That said, I'm aware that at times our Christian walk can get slippery, and we don’t always do those things we should. But through Jesus Christ God will offer you forgiveness if you ask—so don’t let your past hold you bound. After all, it’s God’s intention for you to live a joyful life.

7. Habakkuk 3:17-18

"Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation."

Finding joy and happiness amidst great trials is possible. Great leaders and strong nations were born from great trials and adversities.

Matter of fact, the nation of Israel, God's people were born from cruel trials in Egypt. But God preserved and established them as a great nation throughout Biblical history.

Can Israel's story apply to you? I'm sure it can. And what are these verses saying? They're saying that trials are inevitable but so is our victory.

This verse speaks of Habakkuk, a prophet, facing testing times, but refuses to bow in sorrow. Instead, he chose to rejoice, to rejoice in the God of his salvation.

He didn't allow trials to get the better of him. But rather, he overcame his trials and sorrows with the promise of joy and hope.

The same can apply to you; because, at different times, life will send you hardships and tribulation. And all that can possibly go wrong will usually go wrong. When this happens, almost immediately you are burdened with feelings of unhappiness, sadness, and frustration. It's like someone suddenly turned the lights off. But how do you respond when this happens? What do you do when you lack the urge to hope again?

This verse reveals the answer—it says to rejoice in the God of your salvation.

It's when you rejoice in God amidst trials that you position yourself to receive God's deliverance.

Don't mind your trials, but rather rejoice in the one who is able to change your sorrow, trials, and sadness into joy, victory, and happiness.

8. Isaiah 61:3

"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."

It's normal to feel sad at times, but ideally, God wants you to rejoice during those moments of sadness.

Maybe you're sad because things haven't quite worked out the way you wanted it to, or maybe it's the loss of a loved one that is causing your heart to be heavy and the tears flow. But cry if you have to —tears are languages God understands, and in the end, He will give you beauty and joy as this verse so wonderfully put it.

9. Psalms 30:5

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

You can experience joy after you have messed up. It's easy to rejoice in good times, but in testing times, it's a touch difficult, especially if you open the door for the devil to come in.

David found himself in a similar situation when he committed adultery. He felt worthless, remorseful, and joy was a far cry. But he encouraged himself, and the Lord restored joy to his life.

The same is true for any believers who messed up—joy seems so far away and that sad, worthless feeling takes over and hinders the saint from shouting praises to God.

But this verse gives all of us hope, it says that God isn't angry forever, but He will have mercy.

So after you have messed up, weep and asked God's pardon—rejoice, because It's God's will that you do.

10. Psalms 35:27

"Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, “Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!."

If you were to pause and reflect upon the goodness of God, and how He would've rescued you from many troubles—no doubt your hearts would rejoice. The Psalmist was expressing to God how grateful he was for his deliverance. Shouts of joy and songs of praise were the psalmist’s instruments to express his gratitude to God.

It’s always a good thing to express gratitude to God, and this verse reveals how shouts of joy and songs of praise are wonderful expressions of gratitude to God.

11. Galatians 5:22–23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law."

12. Psalm 63:6–7

"For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings, I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me."

13. Matthew 2:9–10

"And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy."

14. James 1:2

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."

15. Psalm 20:4–5

"May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!"

16. Psalm 16:11

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

What is Biblical Joy?

Biblical joy is "Chara," and it means cheerfulness. Joy is a grace that God gives, and it is an insatiable, unexplainable, calm, good feeling that a believer enjoys in the soul. The child of God isn't responsible for this joy; it's the Holy Spirit who makes it possible.

More Bible Verses About Joy

Psalm 9:9-10, "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." It's difficult, especially in hard times to be happy and joyful. Life can be very brutal and unforgiving, and no matter what you do or try, situations always seem to get the better of you. But, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. ... Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."

Take courage, if God is for you, then who can be against you? The Lord will see you through, even when life is hard and difficult; read these verses, have faith, believe, and receive whatsoever you are hoping in God for. To encourage and boost your faith, here are a few uplifting bible verses about joy and happiness. Further down the page, you will find an additional 15 bible verses on joy with insightful and inspirational explanations of each. This is your season to rise, to hope, to believe, and to rejoice with peace, gladness, joy, and happiness.

Psalm:146:5 "Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God."

Job 5:17 "Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty."

Proverbs 3:13 "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding."

Proverbs 14:21 "He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he."

Proverb 29:18 "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."

John 13:16-17 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

James 5:11 "Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."

1 Peter 4:14 "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part, he is evil spoken of, but on your part, he is glorified."

Psalm 30:5 "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

Psalm 35:27 " Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant."

Psalm 126:4-6 "Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Proverbs 17:31 "He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy."

Isaiah 12:2-3 "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord, Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation."

Habakuk 3:17-18 "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor 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: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."

John 15:11 "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

John 16:23-24 "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."

Romans 14:17 "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

Psalm 27:6 "And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD."

You can also share these great bible verses on joy with your friends and family so that they can be a blessing to them just as they have been to you, I bless you in Jesus' name.