A state of pleasure or joy experienced both by people and by God, but subject to change according to circumstances. True happiness derives from a secure and settled knowledge of God and a rejoicing in his works and covenant faithfulness. God rejoices over his faithful people.
Happiness found in human relationships
Deuteronomy 24:5 See also Genesis 30:13, Genesis 34:19; 1 Kings 10:8; Psalm 113:9; Proverbs 23:24; Ecclesiastes 9:9; Song of Solomon 4:10; Romans 15:24; 2 Corinthians 7:13
If a man is newly married, he must not be sent to war or be pressed into any duty. For one year he is free to stay at home and bring joy to the wife he has married.
Happiness found in people and things
1 Kings 4:20; Luke 1:14; 1 Timothy 6:17 See also Deuteronomy 20:61SA Deuteronomy 18:3, 1 Samuel 20:17 Psalm 127:3–5; Ecclesiastes 3:12, Ecclesiastes 5:19, Ecclesiastes 8:15, Ecclesiastes 11:9; Isaiah 65:22; Jonah 4:6; Luke 12:19; John 16:21; Philippians 2:25–30
The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.
He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.
Happiness found in God
In God's presence
Psalm 16:11 See also Psalm 21:6, Psalm 43:4; 1 Thessalonians 3:9
You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
In God's word
Psalm 119:35 See also Isaiah 55:2; Jeremiah 15:16; Mark 12:37; Romans 7:22
Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for there I find delight.
In God's actions
Genesis 21:6; Acts 11:23 See also Exodus 18:9; 1 Samuel 2:1, 1 Samuel 19:5; 1 Kings 8:66; Esther 8:16; Psalm 16:6, Psalm 92:4, Psalm 111:2; Isaiah 61:10; Acts 13:48
Then Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me.”
When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts.
God's happiness
In obedient people
Deuteronomy 30:9–10 See also 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 147:11; Isaiah 9:17; Matthew 25:21
So the LORD your God will make you abound in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the offspring of your livestock, and the produce of your land. Indeed, the LORD will again delight in your prosperity, as He delighted in that of your fathers, if you obey the LORD your God by keeping His commandments and statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, and if you turn to Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
In the righteous
Proverbs 11:20 See also Psalm 147:11; Proverbs 11:1; Ecclesiastes 2:26; Jeremiah 9:24
The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.
Jesus Christ's recipe for happiness
Matthew 5:3–10 parallel Luke 6:20–22
Happiness may not be permanent
Ecclesiastes 7:14 See also Esther 5:9; Job 7:7; Psalm 10:6; Proverbs 15:13; Ecclesiastes 11:9; Jeremiah 16:9; Lamentations 5:15; Joel 1:12
In the day of prosperity, be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider this: God has made one of these along with the other, so that a man cannot discover anything that will come after him.
Happiness for those who trust in God
Psalm 84:12 See also Psalm 2:12, Psalm 34:8, Psalm 40:4, Psalm 146:5; Proverbs 16:20; Jeremiah 17:7; Luke 1:45; John 20:29; Galatians 3:9
O LORD of Hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in You!
Happiness for those who obey God
Psalm 89:15 See also Job 5:17; Psalm 1:1–2, Psalm 94:12, Psalm 112:1, Psalm 128:1; Proverbs 28:14, Proverbs 29:18; Isaiah 56:1–2; Luke 11:27–28; Revelation 1:3, Revelation 22:7
Blessed are those who know the joyful sound, who walk, O LORD, in the light of Your presence.
Happiness for those who are forgiven
Psalm 32:1–2 See also Romans 4:7–8; Revelation 22:14
Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Happiness for those who suffer persecution
1 Peter 3:14 See also Matthew 5:11–12; 1 Peter 4:14
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”
Happiness for those who persevere
Matthew 11:6 See also James 1:12, James 5:11; Revelation 16:15
Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.