You can’t help but be struck by the repeated call to joy and gladness throughout the Psalms. Obviously, the writers of the different Psalms had many good reasons for joy, and for calling other people to joy. It’s intriguing, this call for joy, because the Psalms are also filled with numerous laments – which must mean that joy and sorrow do live together side-by-side.
Below is a random sampling of joy references in the psalms – trusting you might find your call to joy in one of them:
- “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Ps. 100:1-2)
- “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.” (Ps. 30:11)
- “In your presences is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures forever.” (Ps. 16:11)
- “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires od your heart.” (Ps. 37:4)
- “Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King … for the Lord takes delight in his people.” (Ps. 149:2, 4)
- “Let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.” (Ps. 5:11)
- “May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.” (Ps. 68:3)
- “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” (Ps. 90:14)
- “Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.” (Ps. 107:22)
- “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.” (Ps. 70:4)
- “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” (Ps. 126:3)
- “Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: ‘The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things.'” (Ps. 118:15)
- “You make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.” (Ps. 92:4)
Squinch 