Some people attend a football game and scream at the top of their lungs when their team gets a first down. Yet these same people attend a church service the next morning and sing about Jesus rising from the grave and beating death in mumbled and hushed tones.
Obviously, some of this is cultural. For example, I had a friend who grew up Catholic in Puerto Rico and commented on how subdued the American mass was compared to the dancing and celebratory nature in his home country.
We should be careful not to count cultural expressions as absolute or biblical mandates. However, the Bible does record a wide range of activity and action related to expressing joy, and we can apply these principles to our lives, no matter where or when we live.
What Is the Bible’s Definition of Joy?
Unlike fleeting happiness, which depends on external circ*mstances, biblical joy is a profound and enduring state of being that arises from a relationship with God.
In the Old Testament, the primary Hebrew word for joy is simchah, which signifies gladness, mirth, and delight. This term appears frequently in contexts of religious festivals, worship, and celebrations, reflecting a communal and individual sense of joy in God’s blessings. For instance, Psalm 16:11 states, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy (simchah); at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
In the New Testament, the Greek word for joy ischara. This term encompasses a sense of gladness and delight that is often linked to spiritual experiences and the Holy Spirit’s presence. For example, in Galatians 5:22-23, joy (chara) is listed as a fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Joy flows organically from a life transformed by the Spirit.
Biblical joy is fundamentally different from happiness. Happiness depends on external circ*mstances and can be temporary and superficial. It fluctuates with life’s ups and downs, often tied to material possessions, achievements, or favorable situations. When these circ*mstances change, happiness quickly fades.
In contrast, biblical joy is a deep-seated sense of well-being and contentment; it persists regardless of external conditions. Joy finds its root in a relationship with God and the assurance of his presence and promises. It is independent from what happens around us, but is built on the eternal truths of God’s love, grace, and salvation.
Biblical joy also involves a conscious choice and perspective. Philippians 4:4 commands, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” This exhortation to rejoice always, despite circ*mstances, reflects a deliberate focus on God’s goodness and faithfulness. Since the truth of God and his promises never change, we never lack his immense joy.
What Does the Bible Say about Joy?
First, joy is a gift from the Holy Spirit. Along with salvation, we don’t deserve nor can we earn God’s joy. Joy isn’t a work but a fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) of God’s presence within us. Fruit speaks of an organic process, instead of something we manufacture on our own. However, we must intentionally engage with and appropriate this gift of joy. Like with God’s peace, rest, and more, we actively receive these gifts.
Joy gives us strength. When the Persian king allowed the Israelites to return to Jerusalem, Ezra and Nehemiah led the effort to rebuild the walls and the temple. They faced resistance and trouble, but God helped them. Nehemiah encouraged the people to celebrate God’s work to help them return. “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). In this passage, the Israelites had several reasons to grieve: reminders of their exile, the sad state of Jerusalem, the work still to be done. But they also had reasons to have joy as they experienced God fulfilling his promises. This joy provides us with strength. We need that strength in trials.
In fact, James 1:2-3 challenges believers to consider trials as occasions for joy: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Since God’s joy doesn’t depend upon temporary circ*mstances, difficulties provide the opportunity to find our strength in God alone. This counterintuitive perspective illustrates how trials strengthen our faith and develop perseverance.
We always have joy in God’s salvation. Isaiah 12:3 connects joy with salvation: “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” This metaphor illustrates that salvation brings a deep, sustaining joy, akin to drawing refreshing water from a well. Salvation, offered through Jesus Christ, is a foundational source of joy for believers.
Believers find another eternal source of joy in God’s Word. Jeremiah 15:16 says, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.” Jeremiah highlights the joy that comes from internalizing and living by God’s Word, indicating that Scripture itself is a source of profound joy. Jesus, the Word of God, wants us to have abundant joy. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). Christ imparts joy to his followers, complete and fulfilling, rooted in abiding in him and his love.
The church is the eternal Bride of Christ, and we find joy within Christian community. Philippians 2:2 calls for unity and joy within the faith assembly: “Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Paul connects communal harmony with complete joy, underscoring the importance of unity and love among believers. One of the ways we express our unity is in worship. Psalm 100:1-2 calls for joyful worship: “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Worship and praise are expressions of the joy believers feel in God’s presence, demonstrating that joy is both an inward experience and an outward expression.
Finally, God promises to make all things new and to redeem creation. In Christ, we have a hope and a future. Romans 15:13 links joy with hope: “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.” Joy and hope both stem from trust in God and the work of the Holy Spirit.
How Do People in the Bible Express Joy?
One of the most common ways people in the Bible express joy is through singing and music. The Psalms, often referred to as the hymnbook of ancient Israel, are filled with songs of joy and praise. Psalm 95:1 invites worshippers to sing joyfully: “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” Similarly, in Exodus 15, after God delivers the Israelites from the Egyptians at the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites sing a song of triumph and joy to the Lord.
Dancing is another biblical and vibrant expression of joy. King David exemplifies this when he dances before the Lord with all his might as the Ark of the Covenant is brought to Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 6:14-15 describes the scene: “Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.” David’s humble and exuberant dance demonstrates his overwhelming joy and worship.
The Bible records shouting for joy as a powerful expression of praise and celebration. Psalm 47:1 encourages this form of joyous worship: “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” Shouting is often associated with moments of victory and divine intervention, as seen in Joshua 6:20, where the Israelites shout and the walls of Jericho fall, signifying God’s miraculous deliverance.
Gratitude is closely linked to joy, as people thank God for his goodness, mercy, and provision. In 1 Chronicles 16:8-10, David appoints Asaph and his associates to give thanks to the Lord: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” Thanksgiving joyfully acknowledges God’s blessings and faithfulness.
Joy is also expressed through feasting and communal celebrations. In the Old Testament, the Israelites celebrate various feasts, such as Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, which are occasions for joyful worship and remembrance of God’s deeds. Nehemiah 8 describes the joy of the people as they celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
The New Testament often expresses joy spontaneously in response to Jesus’s miracles and teachings. For instance, in Luke 19:37, as Jesus approaches Jerusalem, “the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.” Similarly, the Ethiopian eunuch, after being baptized by Philip, “went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39).
Joy is frequently expressed in prayer and worship. The early Christians gathered to pray and worship with glad hearts, as seen in Acts 2:46-47: “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.”
What Can These Biblical Expressions of Joy Teach Us Today?
Biblical expressions of joy offer profound lessons, teaching us how to experience and demonstrate joy in our own lives.
One of the key takeaways from these biblical expressions of joy is the importance of singing and music in worship. In Psalm 95:1, the psalmist invites worshippers to “sing for joy to the Lord” and “shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” Music and singing aren’t just for entertainment or emotional moments, they are also vital components of worship, allowing us to express our joy and gratitude to God. Engaging in worship through music uplifts the spirit, fosters a sense of community, and draws believers closer to God.
The story of King David dancing before the Lord in 2 Samuel 6:14-15 teaches us the value of exuberant and unreserved worship. David’s dance was a willful expression of joy and gratitude for the Ark’s return to Israel, especially to his new capital of Jerusalem. This example encourages us to worship God with our whole being, unashamedly expressing our joy. The spontaneous joy seen in Luke 19:37 and Acts 8:39 teaches us to be open to moments of unexpected joy. Recognizing and celebrating God’s work in everyday life can lead to spontaneous expressions of joy and gratitude.
Shouting for joy, as seen in Psalm 47:1, highlights the importance of vocal expressions of praise. We can learn to boldly proclaim our joy and gratitude for God’s works. This reinforces our faith and encourages others in the community to join in the celebration. Connected to this, regularly expressing thanks for God’s blessings helps believers cultivate a joyful heart. This practice can transform one's outlook on life, fostering a positive and hopeful attitude.
Biblical feasts and celebrations teach us the value of communal joy. We can embrace this lesson by organizing communal meals and celebrations, marking significant spiritual milestones and fostering a sense of unity and joy.
With all this in mind, we must remember our joy doesn’t depend on temporary circ*mstances. Never allow hardships to make us forget the gift of joy. In difficult times, through the Spirit we can always intentionally choose to embrace God’s eternal joy, finding supernatural strength in every situation.
Peace.
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