10 Powerful Bible Verses about Joy and Happiness

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“I just want to be happy” is a phrase we hear today, perhaps a little more often than years gone by. We’ve probably also felt that ourselves. Maybe today you feel burdened, tired, and not sure where to find joy! But Scripture contains many Bible verses about joy and happiness. 

What does the Bible say about joy and happiness?

Some people have extreme views of what being a joyful or happy Christian means. One person might hold that God doesn’t want us to be happy at all, but somber and sacrificial in every moment. Another could maintain that God only wants us to be happy, and that we should never feel sad, or experience difficulties. Neither of these is true in full. But what does the Bible say about joy and happiness?

It is reported that A.W. Tozer said, “No man should desire to be happy who is not at the same time holy. He should spend his efforts in seeking to know and do the will of God, leaving to Christ the matter of how happy he should be.” The answer lies somewhere in between perpetually seriousness and constant happiness. The Bible verses about joy and happiness always point back to Jesus as the source of our joy, and don’t elevate our joy and happiness over everything else. Let’s take a look at what Scripture has to say about being happy and joyful with these 10 Bible Verses about joy and happiness.

My Joy comes from the Lord: Bible Verses about our source of Joy

In God’s presence, we will find joy. Whether through prayer, worship, or other spiritual disciplines, our opportunity to meet with Him will bless us with joy.

Psalm 16:11 WEB

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

Keeping God’s commands will help us stay in His presence and we will experience joy.

You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.  Psalm 16:11 at Hope Filled Faith - Bible Verses about joy and happiness

John 15:10-11 WEB

If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love. I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full. 

The salvation that God provides us is yet another reason to be joyful!

Psalm 71:23 WEB 

My lips shall shout for joy! My soul, which you have redeemed, sings praises to you!

We can find joy and happiness in God’s presence.

Psalm 21:6 WEB

For you make him most blessed forever. You make him glad with joy in your presence.

Living a life of surrender and service can bring joy.

Psalm 86:4 WEB 

Bring joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Bible Verses about being happy in hard times

In the trials of this life, we will need to look beyond our circumstances and beyond what is on this earth (Colossians 4:2), and set our minds on things above. Jesus Christ didn’t come to earth to be happy, He came to serve God. Our joy, for a time, may lay ahead of us.

1 Peter 4:13 ESV

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

The Bible encourages us to be joyful because God defends us. Being defended doesn’t indicate peaceful times, but rather difficult ones. But the fact that God is our refuge is always a reason for joy.

Psalm 5:11 WEB 

But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Let them also who love your name be joyful in you.

Bible Verses about Waiting for Joy: Joy Comes in the Morning

When we encounter trials and temptations that challenge our faith, we can anticipate the joy of a stronger faith growing from these difficulties.

James 1:2-3 WEB

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

James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Bible verses about joy and happiness at Hope Filled Faith

Sometimes great difficulty precedes great joy. We need to trust God that even in the difficult circumstances, He is working out everything for our good (Romans 8:28). 

Psalm 126:5 WEB 

Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. 

C.H. Spurgeon in The Treasury of David said of Psalm 30:5, “We die like withered flowers when the Lord frowns, but his sweet smile revives us as the dews refresh the field.” Sometimes we suffer because of something we did, or are affected by someone else’s sin. But God does not delay in restoring us when we humbly come before His presence and repent. With that comes great joy.

Psalm 30:5 ESV

For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

A prayer for joy and happiness

Dear Lord, We confess that we try to find joy and happiness in so many different ways. May we look to You for our joy. May we pursue You above all. Thank you for the joy we receive in Your presence, and the happiness we find in serving You. May we be thankful for the blessings You provide. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

You can find this prayer in a video form on my YouTube Channel.

Thank you for reading 10 Bible Verses about Joy and Happiness. You may also be interested in 9 Helpful Bible Verses for Comfort and Encouragement.

Be encouraged: 10 Bible verses about joy and happiness at Hopefilledfaith.com. Picture of woman with arms raised, standing in a field.

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