28 Bible Verses About Joy (NIV & KJV)

Joy is one of God's greatest gifts to His people, a deep and steady gladness that does not depend on circumstances. Unlike fleeting happiness, the joy Scripture describes flows from the presence of God, the assurance of salvation, and the unshakable promises of His Word. It can fill the heart even in the midst of sorrow.

These Bible verses about joy gather the clearest passages in both the NIV and KJV on the joy of the Lord, rejoicing in every season, finding gladness through trials, and delighting in God's presence. Whether you are celebrating His goodness or searching for light in a difficult time, these words will lift your spirit.

Let these verses remind you that the joy of the Lord is your strength, a fountain that never runs dry, and a foretaste of the fullness of joy found forever in His presence.

😊 The Joy of the Lord

These verses reveal that our truest joy is found in God Himself.

“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.””— Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)“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)

“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 (NIV)“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)

“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.””— Psalm 126:2 (NIV)“Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.”— Psalm 126:2 (KJV)

“yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”— Habakkuk 3:18 (NIV)“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”— Habakkuk 3:18 (KJV)

“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 (NIV)“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”— Psalm 5:11 (KJV)

🎉 Rejoice Always

Scripture calls us to a continual posture of rejoicing.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”— Philippians 4:4 (NIV)“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”— Philippians 4:4 (KJV)

“Rejoice always,”— 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV)“Rejoice evermore.”— 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (KJV)

“The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.”— Psalm 118:24 (NIV)“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”— Psalm 118:24 (KJV)

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”— Romans 12:12 (NIV)“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”— Romans 12:12 (KJV)

“Psalm 100 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.”— Psalm 100:1 (NIV)“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.”— Psalm 100:1 (KJV)

🌅 Joy in Trials

These verses promise that joy can rise even in hardship.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,”— James 1:2 (NIV)“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;”— James 1:2 (KJV)

“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”— Psalm 30:5 (NIV)“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)

““Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”— Matthew 5:11 (NIV)“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”— Matthew 5:11 (KJV)

“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”— Psalm 126:5 (NIV)“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”— Psalm 126:5 (KJV)

“sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”— 2 Corinthians 6:10 (NIV)“As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”— 2 Corinthians 6:10 (KJV)

🕊️ Joy as a Fruit of the Spirit

Scripture shows joy as a gift cultivated by God's Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”— Galatians 5:22 (NIV)“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,”— Galatians 5:22 (KJV)

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,”— Romans 14:17 (NIV)“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”— Romans 14:17 (KJV)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”— Romans 15:13 (NIV)“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)

“And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”— Acts 13:52 (NIV)“And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.”— Acts 13:52 (KJV)

🙌 Joy in God's Salvation

These verses celebrate the gladness that salvation brings.

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”— Psalm 51:12 (NIV)“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”— Psalm 51:12 (KJV)

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”— Isaiah 12:3 (NIV)“Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”— Isaiah 12:3 (KJV)

“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”— Isaiah 61:10 (NIV)“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”— Isaiah 61:10 (KJV)

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,”— 1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)“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)

🌿 Lasting Joy in His Presence

Scripture promises that God's joy endures and overflows.

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”— John 15:11 (NIV)“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)

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”— John 16:24 (NIV)“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”— John 16:24 (KJV)

“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”— John 16:22 (NIV)“And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”— John 16:22 (KJV)

“Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.”— Psalm 97:11 (NIV)“Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.”— Psalm 97:11 (KJV)

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”— Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”— Proverbs 17:22 (KJV)

What Does the Bible Say About Joy?

The Bible says that joy is far deeper than happiness, for it is rooted not in changing circumstances but in the unchanging God. Scripture names joy as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, a strength that sustains the weary, and a wellspring found in God's presence where there is fullness of joy forevermore. This joy belongs to those who trust in the Lord and rejoice in His salvation, even when life is hard.

The Bible also teaches that joy can coexist with sorrow and even grow through trials. Believers are told to count it all joy when they face testing, knowing that God is working something good through it, and that weeping may last for a night but joy comes in the morning. Because Christ has secured our salvation and promised His abiding presence, our joy can be full and unshakable, a joy that no one can take away.

May these verses fill your heart with the gladness that comes from the Lord. For more Scripture to lift your spirit, explore our Bible verses about thankfulness, Bible verses about peace, and Bible verses about hope.