Bible verses about joy
The Bible presents joy as deeper than happiness, a fruit of the Spirit and a strength that can coexist with hardship.
“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 8:10 · KJV
- Verses
- 16
- Key passage
- Nehemiah 8:10
- Translation
- King James
- Updated
- 2026-10-27
Joy in scripture often appears alongside difficulty. Nehemiah tells a weeping crowd that joy is their strength, and James says to count trials as joy. The verses below follow that thread from the Psalms, where joy bursts out in song, to the New Testament, where it is called a gift.
16 verses about joy
“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 8:10 · 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.”
Psalm 16:11 · 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.”
Psalm 30:5 · KJV“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
John 15:11 · 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.”
Romans 15:13 · KJV“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 · KJV“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
Philippians 4:4 · KJV“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24 · KJV“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
James 1:2-3 · KJV“Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”
Isaiah 12:3 · KJV“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
Psalm 126:5 · KJV“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22 · 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:”
1 Peter 1:8 · KJV“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”
Psalm 100:1-2 · 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.”
Zephaniah 3:17 · KJV“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
John 16:24 · KJVQuestions
What does the Bible say about joy?
The Bible presents joy as deeper than happiness, a fruit of the Spirit and a strength that can coexist with hardship. A good place to start is Nehemiah 8:10.
Where does the Bible talk most about joy?
Key passages include Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 30:5. This page lists 16 verses from the Old and New Testaments.
Which Bible translation is used?
The King James Version (KJV), which is in the public domain in the United States. Other translations use different wording for the same passages.
Related topics
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (public domain in the U.S.). Verses were selected by hand. Last reviewed 2026-10-27. See how topics are chosen.