All of us face unforeseen trials in life – but we can overcome them with joy, knowing that God is with us every step of the way, providing for and protecting us. Though we wrestle against sin and darkness, we can rest in His promise that evil will have its recompense, for our God is a God of justice. Read these 10 Psalms and rejoice in the Lord and His goodness.
Joy in Hard Times
“Many say, ‘May we see better times!
Lord, show us the light of your face!’
But you have given my heart more joy
than they have when grain and wine abound.
In peace I will lie down and fall asleep,
for you alone, Lord, make me secure.” — Psalm 4:7-9
Joy in the Lord’s Provision
“I keep the Lord always before me;
with him at my right hand, I shall never be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, my soul rejoices;
my body also dwells secure,
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
nor let your devout one see the pit.
You will show me the path to life,
abounding joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.”
— Psalm 16:8-11
“I will bless you as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands, calling on your name.
My soul shall be sated as with choice food,
with joyous lips my mouth shall praise you!
I think of you upon my bed,
I remember you through the watches of the night
You indeed are my savior,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to you;
your right hand upholds me.” — Psalm 63:5-9
Joy Because He Reigns
“All you peoples, clap your hands;
shout to God with joyful cries.
For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,
the great king over all the earth.” — Psalm 47:2-3
Joy in His Might
“Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;
sing of his glorious name;
give him glorious praise.
Say to God: ‘How awesome your deeds!
Before your great strength your enemies cringe.
All the earth falls in worship before you;
they sing of you, sing of your name!’” — Psalm 66:2-4
Joy in His Glory
“Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his marvelous deeds.” — Psalm 96:1-3
“May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord be glad in his works!
Who looks at the earth and it trembles,
touches the mountains and they smoke!
I will sing to the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God while I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to him;
I will rejoice in the Lord.
May sinners vanish from the earth,
and the wicked be no more.
Bless the Lord, my soul! Hallelujah!” — Psalm 104:31-35
Joy in His Justice
“For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
You who love the Lord, hate evil,
he protects the souls of the faithful,
rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
Light dawns for the just,
and gladness for the honest of heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you just,
and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.” — Psalm 97:9-12
Joy in His Steadfast Love
“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all you lands;
serve the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
Know that the Lord is God,
he made us, we belong to him,
we are his people, the flock he shepherds.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name;
good indeed is the Lord,
His mercy endures forever,
his faithfulness lasts through every generation.” — Psalm 100:1-5
Joy in Our Redemption
“I thank you for you answered me;
you have been my savior.
The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the Lord has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice in it and be glad.
Lord, grant salvation!
Lord, grant good fortune!
You are my God, I give you thanks;
my God, I offer you praise.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
his mercy endures forever.” — Psalm 118:21-25, 28-29