100+ Bible Verses About Joy and Happiness [Being Happy]

1. Psalm 16:11 – “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

2. Psalm 32:11 – “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”

3. Psalm 34:5 – “Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”

4. Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

5. Psalm 68:3 – “But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy!”

6. Psalm 97:12 – “Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!”

7. Psalm 118:24 – “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

8. Proverbs 3:13 – “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.”

9. Proverbs 10:28 – “The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.”

10. Proverbs 12:20 – “Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.”

11. Proverbs 15:13 – “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.”

12. Proverbs 15:15 – “All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.”

13. Proverbs 16:20 – “He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.”

14. Proverbs 17:22 – “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

15. Ecclesiastes 2:26 – “For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God.”
16. Ecclesiastes 3:12 – “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live.”
17. Ecclesiastes 3:13 – “Also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.”
18. Ecclesiastes 5:19 – “Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.”
19. Isaiah 12:3 – “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
20. Isaiah 35:10 – “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
21. Isaiah 55:12 – “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”
22. Isaiah 61:10 – “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.”
23. Jeremiah 15:16 – “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.”
24. Habakkuk 3:18 – “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”

New Testament Verses

25. Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

26. Matthew 5:12 – “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

27. Matthew 25:21 – “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”

28. Luke 1:47 – “And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

29. Luke 6:23 – “Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.”

30. Luke 10:20 – “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

31. John 15:11 – “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

32. John 16:24 – “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

33. John 17:13 – “But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”

34. Romans 12:12 – “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

35. Romans 15:13 – “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.”

36. Galatians 5:22 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”

37. Philippians 1:4 – “Always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.”

38. Philippians 2:2 – “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

39. Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”

40. Colossians 1:11 – “May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.”

41. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 – “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.”

42. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 – “Rejoice always.”

43. 2 Timothy 1:4 – “As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.”

44. Hebrews 12:2 – “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

45. James 1:2 – “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.”

46. 1 Peter 1:8 – “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.”

47. 1 Peter 4:13 – “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

48. 1 John 1:4 – “And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.”

49. Jude 1:24 – “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.”

50. Revelation 19:7 – “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.”

These verses from both the Old and New Testaments highlight the biblical foundation for joy and happiness, offering believers insight and encouragement for finding true contentment in their faith.

Bible Verses About Being Happy

Trust and Faith in God:

Importance of Trusting in God for True Happiness

In the Bible, trust and faith in God are foundational to experiencing true happiness. This theme is evident throughout the scriptures, where happiness is consistently linked to a deep, unwavering trust in God’s character, promises, and plan. Trusting in God means believing that He is in control and that His intentions are always for our good, even when circumstances are challenging.

For example, Proverbs 16:20 states, “He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.” This verse highlights that happiness comes from trusting in God’s wisdom and guidance. Similarly, Jeremiah 17:7 proclaims, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.” Here, the word “blessed” can be understood as “happy,” underscoring the joy that springs from a life rooted in trust in God.

Connection Between Faith and Joy

Faith and joy are intrinsically connected in the Bible. Faith involves believing in God and His promises, and this belief fosters a sense of joy that transcends external circumstances. Joy is not just a transient emotion but a deep-seated sense of well-being and contentment that comes from knowing and trusting God.

Romans 15:13 captures this connection beautifully: “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.” This verse shows that joy and peace are direct results of faith (“in believing”). The Holy Spirit empowers believers to experience joy, even in difficult times, because their faith anchors them in the hope of God’s faithfulness.

Another profound example is found in Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” Paul writes this encouragement while he is in prison, demonstrating that his joy is not dependent on his circumstances but on his faith in the Lord. This joy is a choice and a reflection of his deep trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness.

Additional Themes of Happiness in the Bible

Wisdom and Understanding:

The Bible emphasizes that wisdom and understanding are key sources of happiness. Wisdom, often described as the fear of the Lord and the pursuit of His commandments, leads to a life of fulfillment and joy. Proverbs 3:13 states, “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.” This happiness is derived from living in accordance with God’s principles, which guide believers towards a righteous and satisfying life.

The Presence of God:

Experiencing God’s presence is another central theme in biblical teachings on happiness. Psalm 16:11 expresses this sentiment: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” The fullness of joy comes from being in communion with God, where believers find ultimate satisfaction and delight.

Obedience and Righteousness:

Living a life of obedience to God’s commandments is frequently associated with happiness in the Bible. Obedience leads to blessings and a harmonious relationship with God, which in turn fosters joy. Psalm 119:1-2 says, “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart.” The happiness here is a result of living in alignment with God’s will.

Practical Applications:

Believers are encouraged to cultivate happiness by deepening their trust and faith in God. This can be achieved through regular prayer, meditation on scripture, and active participation in a faith community. Practicing gratitude and focusing on God’s promises can also help believers maintain a joyful heart regardless of their circumstances.

In summary, the Bible teaches that true happiness is deeply rooted in trust and faith in God. This happiness is not dependent on external factors but on a secure and trusting relationship with the Creator. By cultivating faith and living in accordance with God’s wisdom and commandments, believers can experience profound joy and contentment in their lives.

Conclusion

As we reflect on what the Bible teaches us about happiness, we uncover insights that go far deeper than just feeling good for a moment. True happiness, as the Bible describes it, isn’t about fleeting moments of pleasure. It’s about something much more profound – a deep sense of contentment and joy that comes from knowing and trusting in God.

Recap of Key Points about Happiness in the Bible

1. Foundation in Faith and Trust: The Bible Verses About Happiness shows us that real happiness starts with faith and trust in God. It’s about finding joy in His presence, in His promises, and in His provision for us.
2. Connection Between Joy and Strength: There’s a beautiful connection between joy and strength in the Bible. When we find joy in God, it gives us inner strength – the kind that helps us keep going even when life gets tough.
3. Source of Wisdom and Understanding: Happiness in the Bible is also linked to wisdom and understanding. When we seek God’s wisdom and live by His principles, we discover a life that’s deeply satisfying and joyful.
4. Continual Rejoicing: The Bible encourages us to rejoice always, no matter what’s going on in our lives. This isn’t about ignoring our problems; it’s about finding a deeper, unshakeable joy in God’s love and faithfulness.

Encouragement to Seek Joy Through Faith and Scripture

So as we go forward, let’s remember these timeless truths about happiness. Instead of chasing after temporary pleasures, let’s focus on building a strong, trusting relationship with God. Let’s spend time in His word, letting it shape our hearts and minds, and guide us to a happiness that’s real and lasting.

As we journey through life, may we find ourselves walking in the fullness of joy that comes from knowing and trusting in God. And may that joy overflow, touching the lives of those around us, and bringing a glimpse of God’s love and goodness into the world.