Dedication of the Wall of Jerusalem

At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.

And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

The Triumph of the Jews

When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration.

For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor.

In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.

This happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy.

The Jews in Susa, however, had assembled on the thirteenth and fourteenth, and then on the fifteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy.

That is why rural Jews—those living in villages—observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other.

as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

May that night be barren; may no shout of joy be heard in it.

Then I would still have this consolation— my joy in unrelenting pain— that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

“My days are swifter than a runner; they fly away without a glimpse of joy.

Are not my few days almost over? Turn away from me so I can have a moment’s joy

that the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment.

then that person can pray to God and find favor with him, they will see God’s face and shout for joy; he will restore them to full well-being.

while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

“The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, though they cannot compare with the wings and feathers of the stork.

Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests.

Psalm 21

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

The king rejoices in your strength, Lord. How great is his joy in the victories you give!

Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.