25 Bible Verses That Command Us To Have Joy

I hope you love the products and resources I recommend here at A Little R & R. Just so you know, it is possible that I get a commission and collect income from the links on this page. Click here for more info.

Have you ever thought about joy as a command?

There are a lot of commands in Scripture: Don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t commit adultery, don’t worry…

And then there is this one:

Rejoice always!

Besides the command in Deuteronomy that we see 11 times to rejoice, there are over 30 Bible verses that command us to have joy.

That’s a lot times!

I believe that the Scripture commands us to have joy because joy in the life of a Christian is a testimony to the world.

Why on earth would anyone want to become a Christian if all they see are Christians who are stressed out, bitter, worried, angry, depressed, and bent under a heavy weight of anxiety?

I can’t think of one good reason why anyone would actually want to live like that.

But most everyone I know wants to have joy.

That is why this Danish lifestyle of Hygge has become so popular! People want to enjoy life! But joy only comes from one source – the Holy Spirit.

Because joy is a fruit of the Spirit.

But not only that, it is a command.

We are commanded to rejoice. And because it is a command, living a life of bitterness, anger, resentment, sorrow, worry, frustration, stress, and anxiety violates that command.

Now, to put this in balance, there may be seasons of life when we have sorrow. But that season should not turn into a lifestyle.

There may be times when we are tempted to become bitter or angry; we may be tempted with worry and anxiety.

We may have a stressful or frustrating day.

But if we allow these things to define our lives and become a lifestyle that we lead, then we are living in opposition to God’s command.

Despite our daily trials and temptations, we are commanded to rejoice – to live a life of joy!

Here are 25 Bible verses that command us to have joy

Psalm 2:11 – “Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling.”

Psalm 5:11 – “But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.”

Psalm 33:1 -“Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.”

Psalm 32:11 – “Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”

Psalm 66:1 – “Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!”

Psalm 68:3-4 – “But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name YAH, And rejoice before Him.”

Psalm 70:4 – “Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!”

Psalm 97:12 – “Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.”

Psalm 98:4 – “Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.”

Psalm 149:5 – “Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds.”

Isaiah 41:16 – “You shall rejoice in the LORD, And glory in the Holy One of Israel.”

Isaiah 52:9 – “Break forth into joy, sing together, You waste places of Jerusalem! For the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.”

Isaiah 65:18 – “But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy.”

Joel 2:21 – “Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice, For the LORD has done marvelous things!”

Joel 2:23 – “Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the LORD your God”

Zephaniah 3:19 – “Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!”

Zechariah 2:10 – “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the LORD.”

Zechariah 9:9 – “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!”

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

Luke 6:23 – “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.”

Philippians 3:1 – “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.”

Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

1 Thessalonians 5:16 – “Rejoice always,”

James 1:2 – “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,”

Revelation 19:7 – “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”

You can get these verses on printable cards to cut out and carry with you or hang on your war room wall. Simply type in your email below and you will instantly receive these verses as a free download.

Get these verses today when you type your email in the form below: