Joy is experienced naturally in many circumstances of life and in human relationships. It is especially important in the life of God's people, who experience joy in response to all that God has done for them.
Poetic images of joy in creation
Psalm 96:11–13 parallel 1 Chronicles 16:31–33 See also Job 39:13; Psalm 65:12–13, Psalm 89:12, Psalm 97:1, Psalm 100:1; Isaiah 35:1–2, Isaiah 49:13
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea resound, and all that fills it. Let the fields exult, and all that is in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD, for He is coming— He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.
Joy arising from specific circumstances
Joy because of the birth of children
Luke 1:13–15 See also Genesis 30:12–13; Luke 1:58
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.
Joy because of victory and deliverance
Exodus 18:9; 1 Samuel 18:6; Jeremiah 41:13; Zechariah 10:7
Joy because of the behaviour of others
Proverbs 15:30 See also Proverbs 23:24–25; Matthew 14:6–7; Hebrews 13:17
The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
Joy because of God's blessings in everyday life
Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God. For a man seldom considers the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.
Joy arising from relationships
Philippians 4:1 See also Proverbs 5:18; Song of Solomon 1:4, Song of Solomon 3:11; Romans 12:15, Romans 15:26–27; 1 Corinthians 12:26; Philippians 1:4–6; Philemon 1:7
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you must stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
God's people find their joy in him
Psalm 4:7, Psalm 16:11; Habakkuk 3:17–18; Philippians 3:1 See also 1 Chronicles 16:10; Psalm 43:4; Philippians 1:23–26 knowing Jesus Christ; Philippians 4:4
You have filled my heart with more joy than when grain and new wine abound.
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.
Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls, yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
God himself gives joy to his people
Nehemiah 12:43; Job 8:21; Ecclesiastes 2:26; Isaiah 9:3; Acts 13:52, Acts 14:15–17
Reasons for God's people to know joy
1 Samuel 2:1 God's deliverance; 2 Chronicles 6:41 God's goodness; Job 22:22–26 repentance; Psalm 19:8 the rightness of God's precepts; Psalm 94:19 God's consolation; Psalm 122:1 being in God's presence; Isaiah 25:9 God's salvation; Isaiah 58:13–14 honouring the Sabbath; Jeremiah 15:16 God's words; Jeremiah 31:12 God's generosity; Luke 1:46–49 recognition by God; Romans 15:13 trusting God
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.