40 Powerful Bible Verses About Laughter

Laughter is a gift from God. It lightens burdens, lifts the heart, strengthens faith, and brings healing to the soul. Whether you’re going through a season of joy or walking through difficulty, Scripture reminds us that joy and laughter are part of God’s design for His people. In this guide, we’ll look at 40 powerful bible verses about laughter, what laughter represents in Scripture, the different types of laughter in the Bible, and how God uses joy to renew our strength.

If you are searching for warmth, faith-building encouragement, or biblical insights about joy, these teachings will strengthen your spirit and brighten your day.

What Does the Bible Say About Laughter?

The Bible teaches that laughter can be holy, healing, and uplifting. It can also be used sarcastically or mockingly, depending on the situation. God created laughter as part of the experience of joy, and He uses it to strengthen His children. When God restores, blesses, or surprises His people, laughter often follows. Scripture also warns about the kind of laughter that leads to foolishness or sin.

In this blog post, we will walk through the 40 powerful bible verses about laughter, explaining how God uses joy for spiritual refreshment.

Types of Laughter in the Bible

Laughter appears in Scripture in different forms, and each has a distinct meaning. Understanding these types helps us appreciate how God communicates through joy and humor.

Laughter of Joy: This is the laughter that springs from gratitude and relief. It shows up when God restores, blesses, or turns sorrow into celebration. Sarah’s laughter when Isaac was born is one example.
Laughter of Amazement: Sometimes God’s blessings are so surprising that people laugh out of disbelief mixed with wonder. This is seen in Abraham’s reaction to God’s promise of a son.
Laughter of Mockery: Some people laugh to scorn or ridicule. Scripture warns against this kind of laughter, which is rooted in pride or rebellion.
Laughter of Triumph: There are moments when God proves Himself faithful, and His people laugh in victory, rejoicing over what He has done.
Laughter of Folly: This is the careless, empty laughter that distracts from wisdom. Ecclesiastes speaks about this type, reminding us that not all laughter is meaningful.

Understanding these helps frame the bible verses about laughter that we’ll explore later in this post.

Spirit of Laughter in the Bible

There is a spiritual depth to laughter that goes beyond emotion. The “spirit of laughter” in Scripture refers to the atmosphere of joy created when God moves in a person’s life. It is not childish or unserious, it is the overflow of a heart touched by God.

Elements of the Spirit of Laughter

Joy from God: True, lasting joy comes from God, not circumstances.
Strength for the weary: Nehemiah says the joy of the Lord becomes strength, renewing the tired soul.
Healing for the heart: Proverbs teaches that a cheerful heart is like medicine.
Restoration and celebration: When God restores His people, joy and laughter naturally follow.
Freedom from sorrow: Laughter often symbolizes moments when God breaks chains and replaces tears with dancing.

This spiritual dimension is part of why many bible verses about laughter speak of restoration, renewal, and divine joy.

Biblical Examples of Laughter

The Bible contains relatable moments where people laughed for various reasons. Here are some of the key examples:

Sarah’s Laughter (Genesis 18 & 21): Sarah laughed twice; once in doubt, then in joy when God fulfilled His promise. Her story reminds us that God can turn uncertain laughter into joyful celebration.
Job’s Hope After Pain (Job 8:21): In the middle of suffering, God promises to fill Job’s mouth with laughter again. This shows that tough seasons do not erase God’s joy.
Isaac – The Child of Laughter: Isaac’s name means “he will laugh.” His birth symbolized God’s ability to bring joy out of impossible situations.
The Psalmist Rejoicing (Psalm 126:2): When God restored Zion, the people laughed with joy because they saw a miracle unfold.
Jesus Bringing Joy to His Followers: While specific verses mention joy more than laughter, Jesus consistently brought relief, hope, and joy that refreshed hearts.

These examples show that God uses laughter as a sign of promise, hope, faith, and restoration.

40 Powerful Bible Verses About Laughter

Below are 40 powerful bible verses about laughter to uplift and strengthen your faith. Meditate on them whenever you need joy, comfort, or encouragement.

Genesis 21:6 “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”
Genesis 17:17 “Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, ‘Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old?’”
Psalm 126:2 “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.”
Proverbs 31:25 “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
Job 5:22 “You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the wild animals.”
Ecclesiastes 3:4 “A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”
Luke 6:21 “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”
Psalm 2:4 “The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.”
Psalm 37:13 “But the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.”
Psalm 59:8 “But you laugh at them, Lord; you scoff at all those nations.”
Proverbs 17:22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Job 8:21 “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”
Ecclesiastes 7:6 “Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools.”
Proverbs 15:13 “A happy heart makes the face cheerful.”
Psalm 126:5–6 “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”
Proverbs 14:13 “Even in laughter the heart may ache.”
Proverbs 12:25 “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”
Psalms 30:11 “You turned my mourning into dancing.”
Isaiah 55:12 “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace.”
Proverbs 10:28 “The hope of the righteous brings joy.”
Nehemiah 8:10 “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Jeremiah 31:13 “I will turn their mourning into gladness.”
John 16:22 “No one will take away your joy.”
Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope.”
Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always.”
Psalm 16:11 “In your presence is fullness of joy.”
Isaiah 35:10 “Gladness and joy will overtake them.”
Psalm 32:11 “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad.”
Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me the joy of your salvation.”
Psalm 98:4 “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.”
Psalm 100:2 “Worship the Lord with gladness.”
Psalm 105:43 “He brought out his people with rejoicing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 “He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Psalm 4:7 “You have filled my heart with greater joy.”
Psalm 149:2 “Let Israel rejoice in their Maker.”
Isaiah 61:7 “Everlasting joy will be yours.”
Psalm 126:2–3 “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice always.”
Galatians 5:22 “The fruit of the Spirit is… joy.”

These Scriptures show that laughter and joy are consistently connected to God’s presence, blessings, and promises.

Conclusion

Laughter is not random or meaningless. It is a direct expression of God’s goodness. Going through these bible verses about laughter shows that God uses joy as a gift, a promise, and a sign of hope. Whenever life becomes heavy, Scripture offers encouragement that God can restore joy again. Allow these passages to deepen your faith and remind you that joy is part of your walk with Him.

May these bible verses about laughter fill your heart with peace and remind you of God’s loving presence. And whenever you need encouragement, return to these Scriptures and let them lift your spirit.

Most of all, trust that God is able to fill your heart with joy in every season because He still delights in your laughter.