What Does the Bible Say About God Laughs?

Psalm 2:1-12 ESV / 90 helpful votes

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, ...

Psalm 37:13 ESV / 85 helpful votes

But the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.

Psalm 2:4 ESV / 75 helpful votes

He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

Psalm 59:8 ESV / 64 helpful votes

But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision.

Zephaniah 3:17 ESV / 38 helpful votes

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 ESV / 38 helpful votes

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Proverbs 1:26-28 ESV / 38 helpful votes

I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.

Proverbs 17:22 ESV / 34 helpful votes

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Psalm 2:1-6 ESV / 30 helpful votes

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, ...

Psalm 126:2 ESV / 28 helpful votes

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.”

Luke 6:21 ESV / 27 helpful votes

“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

Psalm 2:4-8 ESV / 24 helpful votes

He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.

Genesis 21:6 ESV / 24 helpful votes

And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.”

Proverbs 1:26 ESV / 22 helpful votes

I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,

Job 8:21 ESV / 19 helpful votes

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.

Psalm 37:12-13 ESV / 17 helpful votes

The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.

Proverbs 15:15 ESV / 16 helpful votes

All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

Proverbs 14:13 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

Proverbs 31:25 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

Genesis 21:6-7 ESV / 12 helpful votes

And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

Psalm 59:7-8 ESV / 11 helpful votes

There they are, bellowing with their mouths with swords in their lips— for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?” But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision.

Job 5:22 ESV / 11 helpful votes

At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the beasts of the earth.

James 5:13 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

Psalm 16:11 ESV / 9 helpful votes

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 8 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Habakkuk 1:10 ESV / 8 helpful votes

At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh. They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it.

Ecclesiastes 7:6 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity.

Proverbs 15:13 ESV / 8 helpful votes

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

Psalm 118:24 ESV / 7 helpful votes

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Genesis 18:13 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’

Genesis 18:12-15 ESV / 6 helpful votes

So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Matthew 5:1-48 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ...

Ecclesiastes 8:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. ...

1 Peter 1:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

Philippians 4:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

John 15:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

John 11:35 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Jesus wept.

Luke 1:37 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Luke 1:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,

Matthew 9:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

He said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him.

Isaiah 55:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Isaiah 32:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For the fool speaks folly, and his heart is busy with iniquity, to practice ungodliness, to utter error concerning the Lord, to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied, and to deprive the thirsty of drink.

Ecclesiastes 3:2-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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;

Ecclesiastes 2:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?”

Proverbs 31:25-26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Psalm 98:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Psalm 96:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

Psalm 42:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation

Psalm 2:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

Nehemiah 8:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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.”

1 Peter 4:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Luke 6:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. “Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.

Luke 2:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Matthew 25:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Matthew 5:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

Matthew 2:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

Jeremiah 31:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.

Ecclesiastes 10:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.

Proverbs 1:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

My son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths,

Psalm 126:2-3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.

Psalm 65:12-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.

Psalm 37:12-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright;

Psalm 30:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

Psalm 2:3-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

Job 12:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called to God and he answered me, a just and blameless man, am a laughingstock.

Genesis 21:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing.

Genesis 21:4-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. ...

Genesis 17:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

71 Bible Verses about God Laughs

Psalm 2:1-12 ESV / 90 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 37:13 ESV / 85 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 2:4 ESV / 75 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 59:8 ESV / 64 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Zephaniah 3:17 ESV / 38 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 3:4 ESV / 38 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 1:26-28 ESV / 38 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:22 ESV / 34 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 2:1-6 ESV / 30 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 126:2 ESV / 28 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:21 ESV / 27 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 2:4-8 ESV / 24 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 21:6 ESV / 24 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 1:26 ESV / 22 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 8:21 ESV / 19 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 37:12-13 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:15 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 14:13 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 31:25 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 21:6-7 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 59:7-8 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 5:22 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:13 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 16:11 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Habakkuk 1:10 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 7:6 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:13 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 118:24 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 18:13 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 18:12-15 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:1-48 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 8:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 1:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 11:35 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 1:37 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 1:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 9:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 55:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 32:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 3:2-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 2:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 31:25-26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 98:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 96:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 42:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 2:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Nehemiah 8:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 4:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 11:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 2:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 25:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 2:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 31:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 10:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 1:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 126:2-3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 65:12-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 37:12-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 30:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 2:3-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 12:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 21:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 21:4-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 17:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)