Laughter has the power to uplift spirits, foster connections, and bring joy into our lives. While the Bible doesn’t explicitly mention laughter as being good for the soul, it does highlight the importance of joy and a cheerful heart.
These verses remind us of the transformative power of laughter and the positive impact it can have on our well-being. As we explore these verses, we find encouragement to embrace laughter and experience the healing balm it brings to our souls.
Let’s delve into these verses that celebrate the gift of laughter and its role in bringing joy to our lives.
Bible Verses About Laughter Is Good for the Soul
Proverbs 17:22
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Laughter and joy have incredible healing power. This verse reminds us that a joyful heart acts as medicine for our souls and bodies. It uplifts our spirits, brings healing to our emotions, and even has physical benefits. Laughter is a gift from God that helps us navigate through life’s challenges with a lighter heart.
Ecclesiastes 3:4
“A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”
In the ebb and flow of life, there is a time for every emotion. Laughter is a beautiful expression of joy and celebration, contrasting with moments of sorrow or mourning. God acknowledges that laughter has its place in our lives and invites us to embrace it as a source of delight and refreshment.
Psalm 126:2
“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.'”
God’s faithfulness and deliverance bring about joyful laughter. This verse depicts a time of restoration and rejoicing, where laughter becomes a testimony to God’s mighty works. Laughter becomes a language that proclaims God’s goodness to the nations and fills our hearts with gratitude.
Job 8:21
“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.”
Even in times of adversity, God has the power to turn our sorrow into laughter. This verse assures us that God’s restorative work is not limited by our circumstances. As we trust in Him, He can transform our mourning into joy, filling our mouths with laughter and our lips with shouts of praise.
Proverbs 15:13
“A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.”
The state of our heart reflects on our countenance. A glad heart, filled with joy and laughter, radiates through a cheerful face. It brings lightness to our spirit and uplifts those around us. Conversely, a heart burdened with sorrow can dampen our spirits. Thus, embracing laughter and joy contributes to our overall well-being.
Psalm 2:4
“He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.”
God’s laughter reveals His supreme power and authority. In this verse, God’s laughter is a response to the futile attempts of human beings who oppose His divine will. It demonstrates His sovereign rule over all things and highlights the foolishness of those who rebel against Him. God’s laughter serves as a reminder that His plans and purposes will ultimately prevail.
Proverbs 31:25
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”
This verse speaks of a woman of noble character who faces the future with confidence and joy. Her trust in God’s provision and guidance allows her to embrace the unknown with a joyful spirit. She does not fear what lies ahead but laughs in the face of uncertainty, knowing that her steps are ordered by the Lord.
Psalm 126:5
“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!”
This verse encourages perseverance and faith in times of hardship. Those who endure through tears and sorrows, trusting in God’s faithfulness, will experience the harvest of joy. Laughter becomes a proclamation of victory as they reap the rewards of their steadfastness and faith.
Genesis 21:6
“And Sarah said, ‘God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.'”
Sarah, who had been barren and despaired of having a child, experienced God’s miraculous intervention. As she gave birth to her son Isaac, her heart overflowed with joy and laughter. This verse captures her delight and the shared laughter of those who witnessed God’s faithfulness in granting her a child.
Luke 6:21
“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.”
Jesus’ words remind us that the Kingdom of God turns our sorrows into laughter. In the midst of hunger, grief, or pain, those who belong to God’s Kingdom can find solace in the assurance that their present sufferings will be transformed into eternal joy. Laughter becomes a sign of the abundant blessings that await them.
Psalm 65:8
“So that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.”
Nature itself testifies to God’s greatness, evoking awe and joy. This verse describes how God’s creation—whether it’s the rising sun or the setting sun—declares His glory and prompts shouts of joy. It invites us to join in this celebration, embracing laughter and expressing gratitude for the wonders of God’s handiwork.
Job 5:22
“At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the beasts of the earth.”
God’s protection and provision allow us to face adversity fearlessly. This verse speaks of a confidence that transcends circumstances. Even in the face of destruction or famine, God’s presence and care give us the assurance to laugh, unafraid of the threats around us.
Nehemiah 8:10
“Then he said to them, ‘Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'”
Amidst repentance and renewal, the people were reminded of the joy found in the Lord. This verse emphasizes that the joy of the Lord is not merely a fleeting emotion but a source of strength. It enables His people to face challenges with resilience and generosity, extending love and compassion to those in need.
Psalm 126:3
“The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”
God’s faithfulness and intervention elicit gladness and gratitude. This verse reflects the response of a community that recognizes and celebrates the great things God has done in their lives. Laughter emerges as a natural outpouring of joy, acknowledging the goodness of the Lord.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”
These verses capture the rhythm of life and its contrasting seasons. Laughter is celebrated as part of the tapestry of human experiences. It reminds us that amidst life’s ups and downs, laughter brings a reprieve from sorrow and adds a touch of delight to our journey.
Psalm 118:24
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Each day is a precious gift from God, deserving of our joy and celebration. This verse calls us to embrace the present moment, recognizing it as a day fashioned by the Lord. Laughter becomes an expression of gratitude, allowing us to rejoice and find gladness in the goodness of God.
Proverbs 14:13
“Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.”
This verse acknowledges the complexity of human emotions. Laughter can coexist with aching hearts and hidden sorrows. It reminds us that laughter is not a panacea for all pain, but it can offer temporary respite. It also serves as a reminder to extend compassion to those whose laughter masks deeper struggles.
Psalm 37:13
“But the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.”
This verse highlights God’s ultimate triumph over evil. While wickedness may seem to prosper for a time, the Lord sees the futility of their ways and ultimately brings judgment upon them. God’s laughter reflects His sovereignty and justice, assuring His people that righteousness will prevail.
Isaiah 12:6
“Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
God’s presence brings uncontainable joy. This verse calls the people of Zion to shout and sing for joy, recognizing the greatness of the Holy One in their midst. It inspires contagious laughter and celebration, as they delight in the nearness of their covenant-keeping God.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Testing Prophets (With Commentary)
Proverbs 15:15
“All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.”
A cheerful heart defies the hardships of life. This verse contrasts the experience of the afflicted, whose days may feel burdened by evil, with those who possess a cheerful heart. The latter find joy even in the midst of challenges, experiencing a continuous feast of blessings that transcends their circumstances.
Psalm 144:15
“Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!”
The people who receive God’s blessings are truly blessed. This verse declares the joy and blessedness of those whose God is the Lord. Laughter springs forth from hearts that recognize God’s favor and experience His faithful provision. It affirms that true joy is found in a relationship with the Lord.
Proverbs 10:23
“Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.”
This verse contrasts the attitude towards wrongdoing. The fool treats wrongdoing as a joke, failing to grasp its consequences, while the person of understanding finds pleasure in wisdom. Laughter becomes a reflection of wisdom’s delight, leading one to seek righteousness and discernment.
Jeremiah 33:11
“The voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord: ‘Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!'”
This verse depicts a joyful celebration of God’s goodness and enduring love. The voices of mirth, gladness, and songs of gratitude resound as the people bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord. Laughter and celebration become expressions of heartfelt worship, acknowledging God’s faithfulness and love.
Proverbs 29:9
“If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.”
This verse illustrates the futility of engaging in arguments with fools. Instead of seeking resolution, the fool responds with rage and laughter, dismissing the wisdom being presented. It serves as a reminder to choose our battles wisely and to seek constructive dialogue that leads to understanding rather than fruitless contention.
Psalm 28:7
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”
This verse proclaims the Lord as the source of strength, protection, and help. It speaks of a heart that trusts in God and finds confidence in His faithfulness. The resulting exultation and thanksgiving lead to joyful expressions, including laughter and songs of praise, as a response to God’s goodness and salvation.
Proverbs 31:25
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”
This verse portrays a woman of strength and dignity. Her trust in God and preparedness for the future enable her to face it with confidence and joy. She laughs at the days to come, not out of ignorance but out of a deep assurance that her steps are ordered by the Lord. Her laughter becomes a symbol of faith-filled anticipation and a testimony to the goodness of God.
Psalm 150:6
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
This verse culminates the Book of Psalms with a call to universal praise. Laughter can be counted among the various expressions of praise, as everything that has breath is invited to glorify the Lord. It emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of worship, encouraging us to find joy and laughter as we join the chorus of creation in extolling the greatness of our God.