31 Joy Bible Verses {with Free PDF Reading Plan}

Use these 30+ Bible verses about joy to focus on the peace, happiness, and hope in hard times that are yours in Christ, have no matter what your outside life circumstances.

Joy is a deep, lasting knowledge that you have peace because of Jesus. Use these Scripture references about unspeakable joy to deepen your faith. Be sure to scroll down to download our free PDF joy Bible reading plan to focus on joy from the Lord this month.

What is the Difference Between Happiness and Joy in Scripture?

If you’ve lived in this human world for more than a few minutes, you know life is not always easy. Sometimes it’s devastating painful. It may take take all your strength to keep from sinking into deep depression.

Why is happiness so fleeting, and what exactly is the difference between happiness and joy?

As a Christian, you know that you have something much deeper than your emotions, which come and go on a whim. No matter what your circumstances look like, you can have joy.

Happiness is…

• externally focused. We want people or events to work in our favor, and when they do, we are happy. But then something suddenly changes and we are back to feeling unhappy.
• circumstantial. We find happiness from life situations – a new job, a raise, a romance, or getting well after being sick.
• up and down. Happiness comes and goes, but as long as it’s based on life circumstance it will never last.

There’s nothing wrong with being happy. Yet because of it’s fleeting nature, constantly seeking after happiness will lead you to frustration, and even depression, when circumstances outside of your control makes you feel lousy.

Joy is…

• from the Lord. Nehemiah 8:10 tells us, “Then he said to them, ‘Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'”
• promised. The Bible never promises you happiness in this life, but you are promised joy. Joy is a fruit of the spirit, which means it is a gift to those who have salvation. This is not a work you create, but rather a gift given freely. Read more about spiritual fruits in Galatians 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
• based on an eternal focus. No matter how bad things get in this lifetime, you know we have eternal life forever with Jesus, and that changes everything. The saying “heaven is my home,” is not just a cute saying. It’s a truth you cling to during times of despair. You have a deep contentment that doesn’t change, no matter what’s changing in your life.

How to Find Your Joy in Jesus

Use the Joy Bible Reading Plan, below, to focus on the joy that comes from Jesus in your life. Each day’s reading will remind you of the lasting promises of God, and the joy that is yours.

Sometimes, you have the joy of the Lord deep in your heart, but you allow challenging life situations to overshadow it. (I get it! This happens to me often.) As you use these readings, you’ll set your sights on what is so much greater than any tough life circumstance. This will restore the joy of your salvation.

If you are unsure if you have the joy that comes from eternal salvation, be sure to read this post: How Do I Know If I Am a Christian?

Best Bible Verses about Joy

Here are five of the best Scripture passages about joy in the Bible. The verses are listed in ESV (English Standard Version).

1. Nehemiah 8:10 – The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10

In this passage, we get a wonderful reminder that deep, lasting joy comes from God alone. I’ve been through many struggles in my life, like the unexpected death of my father when I was a young adult, parenting children with special needs, my struggles with binge eating and food addiction, and digestive health issues. Yet through it all, I trust that God is in control.

What hardships are you currently facing? This verse is a reminder that God is with you, and joy from the Lord will strengthen you for your next steps when you need endurance.

2. Psalm 30:5 – Joy comes in the morning.

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.

Psalm 30:5

For many years, the evening hours of each day were emotionally tough for me. As a mom of little ones, I was physically exhausted and emotionally strung out. My husband is a pastor and he often had evening meetings, which left me alone to manage baths and bedtime.

A Christian mentor encouraged me to use this verse as a reminder that even when I wasn’t feeling happy in the moment, I could go to bed and wake up refreshed with new mercies from God.

3. Proverbs 17:22 – A cheerful heart is good medicine.

A joyful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

One of my daughters struggled with anxiety throughout her junior high and high school years. She chose this short Bible verse about joy as her confirmation verse to remind her to have a cheerful heart.

Choosing gratitude is another way to experience joy when you are feeling overwhelmed. Use our Christian Gratitude Journal to get started.

4. Psalm 16:11 – In Your presence is fullness of joy.

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

Psalm 16:11

This Scripture passage gives such a beautiful word picture when it says that in God’s presence there is “fullness of joy.” Many things in this world give you momentary happiness, but with God you have complete joy, and no problem you face can take that away.

5. James 1:2-4 – Count it all joy…when you meet trials.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4

There is a saying, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” While this phrase isn’t in the Bible, it’s a helpful reminder to trust God’s plan for your life.

When you go through tough times, remember this passage from James. You may be tested, but these tests will produce steadfastness and grow your faith.

6. Psalm 64:10 – Let the righteous one rejoice.

Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord
    and take refuge in him!
Let all the upright in heart exult!

Psalm 64:10

7. Psalm 31:7 – I will be glad in your steadfast love.

I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
    because you have seen my affliction;
    you have known the distress of my soul.

Psalm 31:7

8. Acts 13:52 – The disciples were filled with joy.

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13:52

9. Colossians 1:11 – Being strengthened with all power…for patience with joy.

…being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.

Colossians 1:11

10. 3 John 1:4 – No greater joy than children walking in the truth.

 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4

11. 1 Peter 1:8 – Believe in Jesus, though you do not now see him.

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

1 Peter 1:8

12. James 1:2 – Count it all joy when you meet trials.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.

James 1:2

13. Galatians 5:22-23 – There is no law against the fruits of the spirit.

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

Galatians 5:22-23

14. Jeremiah 31:13 – Rejoice in the dance.

Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
    and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy;
    I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.

Jeremiah 31:12

15. Psalm 126:5-6 – Come home with shouts of joy, bringing in the sheaves.

Those who sow in tears
    shall reap with shouts of joy!

 He who goes out weeping,
    bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
    bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 126:5-6

16. Isaiah 49:13 – Sing for joy, O heavens.

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;
    break forth, O mountains, into singing!
For the Lord has comforted his people
    and will have compassion on his afflicted.

Isaiah 49:13

17. Psalm 113:9 – He makes the barren woman a joyous mother.

He gives the barren woman a home,
    making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 113:9

18. Isaiah 29:19 – Obtain fresh joy.

The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord,
    and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 29:19

19. Psalm 95:1-2 – Shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
    and extol him with music and song.

Psalm 95:1-2

20. Psalm 84:2 – My soul years for the courts of the Lord.

My soul yearns, even faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
    for the living God.

Psalm 84:2

21. Psalm 5:11 – Those who love your name rejoice.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
    let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 5:11

22. Psalm 16:11 – God makes known to you the path of life.

You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

23. Luke 15:7-10 – The parable of the lost coin.

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Luke 15:7-10

24. Psalm 21:6 – There is joy in the Lord’s presence.

For you make him most blessed forever;
    you make him glad with the joy of your presence.

Psalm 21:6

25. Psalm 30:5 – God’s favor is for a lifetime.

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.

Psalm 30:5

26. John 15:11 – That your joy may be full.

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

John 15:11

27. Psalm 35:27 – Delight in God’s righteousness.

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!”

Psalm 35:27

28. Psalm 63:5-8 – You are safe in the shadow of God’s wings.

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
    and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
when I remember you upon my bed,
    and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
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.

Psalm 63:5-8

29. Psalm 67:4 – Let the nations be glad and sing.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you judge the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations upon earth.

Psalm 67:4

30. Romans 14:17 – The kingdom of God is for righteousness, peace, and joy.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 14:17

31. Romans 15:13 – The God of hope fills you will all joy and peace.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15:13

31 Scriptures about Joy – FREE PDF Printable

Use this free Bible verse plan to focus on the joy of the Lord this month, or anytime you need a reminder of the abiding joy that comes from knowing Jesus.

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How do you find lasting joy in the Lord?

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Personal note: While researching this article, I came upon this blog post by Mandy Kelly: Biblical Joy vs. Happiness. Tears of joy came to my eyes when I opened her website. Mandy and most of her immediate family will killed in a horrific house fire, yet her words of life and truth are still touching lives today.