CHAPTER 32
JOY-JOYFUL
(merry, welcome, clamor, spins around because of violent emotion, rejoices, glee, jubilee, blows trumpets, acclamation, battle cry, mirth, pleasure, cheerful, delights, glad, agreeable, pleased)
God My Exceeding Joy
DELIGHTS (inclines, bends, desires, favor, likes, be well pleased, has pleasure, clings, joins, loves, acceptable)
GLAD-GLADNESS (rejoices, blithe, glee - religious or festival, joyful, merry, exceeding, mirth, exultation, cheerful, happy)
LAUGHS (in pleasure or in derision, to scorn, to play, make merry or sport, mock, rejoices)
PLEASURE-PLEASED (sets affection, consents, enjoys, exciting emotion, agreeable, thinks well of, approves, delights in, desires, favors, inclines, bends, likes, good, cheer, beautiful, happy, accepted, best, content, merry)
REJOICES (congratulates, sympathizes in gladness, glad, joy, make mirth, bright, cheerful)
Genesis 21:6 And Sarah said, God has made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
Numbers 14:8 If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which flows with milk and honey.
Numbers 24:1. And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
Deuteronomy 10:15 Only the LORD had a delight in your fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.
Deuteronomy 28:63 And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to naught; and you shall be plucked from off the land where you go to possess it.
Deuteronomy 30:9 And the LORD your God will make you plenteous in every work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over you for good, as he rejoiced over your fathers: 10 If you shall hearken unto the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if you turn unto the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul.
1 Samuel 12:22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it has pleased the LORD to make you his people.
1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
2 Samuel 22:20 He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
1 Kings 3:9 Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this your so great a people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
1 Kings 10:9 Blessed be the LORD your God, which delighted in you, to set you on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel forever, therefore made he you king, to do judgment and justice.
1 Chronicles 29:17 I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy your people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto you.
Ezra 6:22 And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
Nehemiah 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 you sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. 11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be you grieved. 12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
Psalms 2:4 He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Psalms 4:7 You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
Psalms 5:4 For you are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with you.
Psalms 16:11 You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
Psalms 21:6 For you have made him most blessed forever: you have made him exceeding glad with your countenance.
Psalms 35:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
Psalms 36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house; and you shall make them drink of the river of your pleasures.
Psalms 37:13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he sees that his day is coming. 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way.
Psalms 43:4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise you, O God my God.
Psalms 45:7 You love righteousness, and hate wickedness: therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows. 11 So shall the king greatly desire your beauty: for he is your Lord; and worship him.
Psalms 51:16 For you desire not sacrifice; else would I give it: you delight not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 Do good in your good pleasure unto Zion: build you the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then shall you be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon your altar.
Psalms 59:8. But you, O LORD, shall laugh at them; you shall have all the heathen in derision.
Psalms 69:30. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. 31 This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that has horns and hoofs.
Psalms 92:4 For you, LORD, have made me glad through your work: I will triumph in the works of your hands.
Psalms 104:31. The glory of the LORD shall endure forever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
Psalms 113:9 He makes the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD.
Psalms 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he has done whatsoever he has pleased.
Psalms 126:2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD has done great things for them.
Psalms 135:6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
Psalms 137:8 O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewards you as you have served us.
Psalms 147:10 He delights not in the strength of the horse: he takes not pleasure in the legs of a man. 11 The LORD takes pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Psalms 149:4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Proverbs 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes;
Proverbs 10:1. The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father*: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
Proverbs 11:1. A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. 20. They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
Proverbs 12:22. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
Proverbs 15:8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 20. A wise son makes a glad father*: but a foolish man despises his mother.
Proverbs 16:7. When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proverbs 23:15 My son, if your heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. 16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when your lips speak right things. 24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begets a wise child shall have joy of him. 25 Your father and your mother shall be glad, and she that bare you shall rejoice.*
Proverbs 29:3. Whoso loves wisdom rejoices his father: but he that keeps company with harlots spends his substance.*
*[Imagine how our Father rejoices over Jesus, and us as well (at times).]
Song of Solomon 2:14. O my dove, that is in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see your countenance, let me hear your voice; for sweet is your voice, and your countenance is comely. [This is Jesus talking to us, his bride.]
Song of Solomon 3:11 Go forth, O you daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart. [Solomon, as a picture of Jesus, shows the joy that He will have on the day of His marriage to us, His bride.]
Isaiah 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.
Isaiah 42:1. Behold my servant, whom I uphold; my elect, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable.
Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Isaiah 51:3 For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
Isaiah 53:10. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he has put him to grief: when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12 For you 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.
Isaiah 56:4 For thus says the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in my house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
Isaiah 60:20 Your sun shall no more go down; neither shall your moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended.
Isaiah 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 righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 62:4 You shall no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall your land any more be termed Desolate: but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah: for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. 5 For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you: and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
Isaiah 65:19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
Jeremiah 9:24 But let him that glory glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, says the LORD.
Jeremiah 31:12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. 13 Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. 14 And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, says the LORD. 16 Thus says the LORD; Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears: for your work shall be rewarded, says the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.
Jeremiah 32:41 Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.
Jeremiah 33:9 And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a honor before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.
Micah 7:18 Who is a God like unto you, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retains not his anger forever, because he delights in mercy.
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God in the midst of you is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over you with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over you with singing.
Haggai 1:8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, says the LORD.
Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles.
Matthew 17:5 While he yet spoke, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear you him.
Matthew 25:20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, you delivered unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, you delivered unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your lord.
Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in your sight.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luke 15:4 What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents. 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
John 3:29 He that has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
John 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
John 11:15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent you may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
John 16:24 Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.
John 17:13 And now come I to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 12:18 But now has God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased him.
1 Corinthians 15:37 And that which you sow, you sow not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38 But God gives it a body as it has pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Ephesians 1:5 Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself:
Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Colossians 1:10 That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness;
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 1:6. And you became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts.
2 Thessalonians 1:11. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
1 Timothy 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. [Blessed means happy. Have we ever thought of God as happy?]
1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;
Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 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.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
2 Peter 1:17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
1 John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
Revelation 4:11 You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.
Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Often we do not think of God as being happy. The most surprising news to me is that we are the main sources of His joy. Next time we worship and obey God, let's be aware of the pleasure that we are bringing Him. Bringing Him joy and pleasure can motivate us to do good as much as His anger can motivate us to avoid evil. What a privilege for us to be able to alleviate some of God's sadness over the world's tragic state by bringing Him joy.
Cross References: Job 38:7, Ps. 18:19, 22:8, Is. 1:11, Eze. 18:23, 31-32, 33:11, Jon. 1:14, Mt. 12:18, 18:12-14, Lk. 1:14, Jn. 3:29, Acts 2:28, Rom. 8:8, 1 Cor. 10:5, 1 Thes. 2:15, 4:1, 1 Tim. 2:4, 2 Tim. 2:4, Heb 1:9, 10:6
See also: Beloved, Exalted, Glory, Good, Grace, Justifier, Love, Mercy, Shepherd, Speaks
Hymns JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE THEE; O LOVE THAT WILL NOT LET ME GO; IN MY HEART THERE RINGS A MELODY; JESUS IS ALL THE WORLD TO ME; HAPPINESS IS THE LORD; JESUS IS THE JOY OF LIVING
Choruses SHOUTS OF JOY; THE LORD OUR GOD IS WITH US; THE LORD THY GOD
Study and Application Questions