Theme · ethical
Joy
The Psalms overflow with joy — joy in God's presence, in creation, in deliverance, in the law itself. The prophets promise that joy will mark the age of restoration: 'The ransomed of the LORD shall return to Zion with singing and everlasting joy upon their heads.' Jesus speaks of joy that no one can take away and tells parables of joy — the shepherd finding the lost sheep, the woman finding the lost coin. Paul, writing from prison, commands the Philippians to 'rejoice in the Lord always.' The early church ate together with glad and generous hearts, and James counsels counting trials as joy because testing produces steadfastness.
Passages expressing this theme
- 1Chr 16:27 — Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.
- 1Pet 1:8 — 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:
- 1Thess 5:16 — Rejoice evermore.
- Acts 13:52 — And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
- Gal 5:22 — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
- Hab 3:18 — Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
- Heb 12:2 — Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Isa 12:3 — Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
- Isa 35:10 — And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
- Isa 55:12 — For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
- Isa 61:3 — To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteou
- Jas 1:2 — My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
- Matt 2:10 — When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
- Matt 25:21 — His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
- Neh 8:10 — 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
- Phil 4:4 — Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
- Ps 5:11 — 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.
- Ps 16:11 — Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
- Ps 30:5 — For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
- Ps 32:11 — Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
- Ps 47:1 — O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
- Ps 51:12 — Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
- Ps 100:1 — Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
- Ps 118:24 — This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
- Ps 126:5 — They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.