Who doesn’t enjoy a good laugh? I’m talking about the kind of laughing that makes you cry and makes your stomach muscles ache!
Even doctors will tell you that laughter is the best medicine in many situations.
When we are feeling down, finding something to laugh about can literally change our whole outlook and make us feel better. But did you know there are many references to laughter in the Bible?
There are a lot of Bible verses about laughter found throughout the Bible because God wants us to be happy and filled with joy!
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Laughter in the Bible
We all love to laugh. It’s a natural human response and can be contagious. A good sense of humor is important in life, but what does the Bible say about laughter? As it turns out, there are many biblical references to laughing or laughter. Some people find this surprising because they believe that Christianity is not supposed to be funny, but God wants us to enjoy ourselves and have fun!
Here are just a few references to laughter found in Scripture:
- There’s Sarah laughing in a ‘yeah, right. I’m going to have a Baby NOW?’ kind of way.
- Babylonians laughing at every attempt to make a defense against them.
- People laughing at Jesus
- Stop laughing and repent
- Your repentance and weeping will become laughter and joy
As you can see from these examples, laughing in the Bible comes in many forms, including some that aren’t necessarily nice!
Laughter is the Best Medicine Scripture
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “laughter is the best medicine” but did you know that Bible actually tells us that it is? Most people have heard of the ‘laughter is like medicine for the soul” Bible verses. The famous Bible verse about laughter, Proverbs 17:22 says:
- ESV: A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
- NIV: A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
- AMP: A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
So, if the Bible tells us laughter is good for us, who are we to contradict that idea?
How many times is laughter mentioned in the Bible?
Scripture references laughing/laughter a lot! Depending on the translation, the Bible mentions laughter somewhere between 20-40 times.
There are so many verses (listed below) that talk about laughter, being joyous, and being happy. God wants us to be happy and laughter is surely a sign of that, right?
Bible Verses About Laughter
There are so many Bible verses about laughter to reflect and meditate on! Scripture is filled with verses that reference laughter in a variety of situations. One that sticks out to me and captures the essence of why God gave us laughter is Ecclesiastes 8:15
Ecclesiastes 8:15
“So I recommend having fun because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.” (NLT)
Laughing is fun, and when we are having fun, we are able to fully experience all God has planned for us!
Here are some more Bible verses about laughter that also capture its importance!
Proverbs 31:25
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25 NIV
Genesis 21:6
Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”
Genesis 21:6 NIV
Job 5:22
You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the wild animals.
Job 5:22 NIV
Job 8:21
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter And your lips with shouting.
Job 8:21 ESV
Luke 6:21
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
Luke 6:21 ESV
Psalm 2:4
He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
Psalm 2:4 ESV
God wants us to have peace and joy by trusting him with our lives. We are not meant for sadness or depression because God’s happiness is better than those two emotions any day! Being happy should involve laughter and we shouldn’t take life so seriously that we forget how to laugh.
God wants us to be happy and there are Bible verses about laughter and happiness to prove it!
He literally tells us there is a time to have fun and dance. And if you’ve ever seen me dance, you will most definitely be laughing!
Ecclesiastes 3:4
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
Ecclesiastes 3:4 NIV
Proverbs 15:13
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:13 NIV
Proverbs 15:15
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:15 NIV
God wants us to be filled with laughter and joy! He even calls for the mountains, hills, and trees to sing and dance with joy!
Isaiah 55:12
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:12 NIV
Psalm 126:2
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
Psalm 126:2 NIV
Psalm 30:11
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.
Psalm 30:11 NLT
Luke 6:21
God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh.
Luke 6:21 NLT
Does God laugh? There are several verses of scripture where God laughs, but not so much in a happy way. He laughs in a way to show his disapproval for those who go against Him:
Psalm 59:8
But you laugh at them, Lord; you scoff at all those nations.
Psalm 59:8 NIV
Psalm 37:13
but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.
Psalm 37:13 ESV
Proverbs 1:26
I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,
Proverbs 1:26 ESV
There are additional Bible verses about laughing at others where the laughing is done in a not-so-joyous manner, but in more of a bully kind of way. As Christians, we should never laugh to make fun of others!
Habakkuk 1:10
At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh. They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it.
Habakkuk 1:10 ESV
Psalm 80:6
You make us an object of contention for our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves.
Psalm 80:6 ESV
Matthew 9:24
he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him.
Matthew 9:24 ESV
Mark 5:40
And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.
Mark 5:40 ESV
Luke 8:53
And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.
Luke 8:53 ESV
Laughter provides so many spiritual, mental, and physical benefits. Could this be why God gave us the act of laughing? So that we are spiritually, mentally, and physically healthy and able to fully focus on Him?
Hopefully, these Bible verses about laughter will help you turn that frown upside down and fully embrace all that God has in store for you!
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