The phrase “joy comes in the morning” is a biblical concept that conveys an important truth about God’s faithfulness and the hope we have in Him. It originates from Psalm 30:5 (ESV), which says, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” This verse reminds us that no matter what trials or sorrows we face, they are temporary, and joy will surely come.
To fully understand this phrase, we must first look at the context of Psalm 30. The heading tells us this psalm was written by David on the occasion when he dedicated his home. In verses 1-3, David rejoices and gives thanks to God for lifting him up and restoring him to health and strength. But then in verse 7, David notes how God had hidden His face from him, and he was in distress. So David goes from praising God for deliverance to lamenting over a time of difficulty. Still, despite enduring hardship, David ends the psalm on a high note in verse 11-12, confidently declaring that God has turned his mourning into dancing and disaster into deliverance.
What we can gather then is that when David says “weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning,” he is reflecting on the ups and downs of life. There will be dark times of weeping and sorrow, but they are temporary. Morning always follows night, and with the new day comes renewed joy and gladness from God’s salvation. No matter how long the night of weeping lasts, joy will surely arrive when the morning comes.
This phrase applies to believers today when we go through hard times. Suffering is an inevitable part of life in this fallen world, but as Christians we can have hope beyond the suffering. We can take comfort in God’s faithfulness and sovereignty, knowing our pain is temporary but our joy in Christ is eternal. Here are some key truths this phrase reveals about God and our response to hardship:
1. God is faithful through the ups and downs of life.
Psalm 30 illustrates how David experienced times of joy and times of weeping. But regardless of his circumstances, he recognized God was present and faithful. During upbeat times, God lifts us up. In times of weeping, God sometimes hides His face for a season. But He never abandons us. He remains sovereign and loving even when we can’t feel Him near. We may not understand why difficulties come, but we can trust God’s purposes are good.
2. Suffering and sorrow are temporary.
Weeping and sorrow are part of the human experience in a fallen world, but the Bible promises they will not last forever. Dark nights of weeping have an expiration date. Morning always comes, bringing the relief and joy of God’s presence. Suffering is temporary, but God’s joy is eternal. So we can have hope that the sadness we feel today will eventually be replaced with inexpressible joy in Christ.
3. God will turn our mourning into joy.
Not only does suffering end, but God promises to turn our seasons of mourning into joy. The weeping night gives way to joyous morning. Sorrow turns to gladness and mourning into dancing. Psalm 30:11 says, “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing.” God takes what is dark and makes it light. He exchanges our ashes for beauty. No matter how intense the weeping, He will bring joy after.
4. Salvation is our source of joy.
What gives us hope that mourning will turn to joy? What makes us certain the night of sorrow will end in gladness? Our salvation in Jesus Christ. God brings joy to our mourning through the gift of salvation. We can rejoice even in suffering because we know our eternal destiny is secure. The joy of our salvation outweighs any temporary hardship we face. As Psalm 30:5 says, joy comes when the morning comes. Morning represents the dawn of a new day – which for believers is eternity in God’s presence.
5. Joy comes through God’s presence.
The main reason mourning gives way to joy is because God makes His presence known to us. Dark times come when it feels like God is distant or has hidden His face. But when God makes His presence manifest again, our hearts are filled with joy. More than good circumstances, more than the relief of pain, it is experiencing God’s presence that brings true joy. Even if circumstances don’t immediately improve, God’s presence shining on us again is our joy.
Knowing joy comes with the new day empowers us to endure hardship. We all face various trials, pains, griefs, and disappointments in this life. It is difficult in the thick of suffering to see dawn arriving. But if we cling to God in faith, the night will eventually fade, and joy will shine again. We can count on God’s faithfulness and take hope in the promise of His salvation. Morning will break – joy will surely come.
Common Questions about Joy Coming in the Morning
This profound but simple phrase often leaves people with questions. Here are some common questions people ask about what it means that joy comes in the morning:
1. How can I have joy when I’m suffering?
It’s difficult to feel joyful when you are in the midst of suffering or hardship. The night season of weeping can be excruciatingly long and oppressively dark. But even when circumstances are bleak, we can access joy through focusing on the hope we have in Christ. Joy is not contingent on good circumstances. It flows from salvation, not situations. We can cling to gospel truths that fuel joy in the darkest night: God loves us completely. He will never leave us. Jesus intercedes for us. Our suffering is temporary, but our victory in Christ is eternal. God promises beauty from ashes. Fixing our eyes on Christ and heaven enables supernatural joy.
2. Why does God allow suffering?
We may wonder why a good and loving God allows His children to go through such painful affliction. The causes of suffering are complex. But we know from Scripture that God permits trials for important purposes. Suffering builds endurance and character. It makes us rely more fully on God. It allows us to encourage others. Suffering draws us closer to Christ, keeps us from pride, refines us, and prepares heavenly rewards. Most importantly, it reminds us this world is not our home and to set our minds on eternal treasures.
3. How long will my night of weeping last?
Some sorrowful seasons last longer than others. There is no set timeline for how long the night of sorrow will be. God works according to His perfect plan and timing, which is sometimes different than ours. What we can be sure of is that it won’t last one second longer than God knows is needed. Weeping leads to joy, so whenever God ushers in the joy of morning, we can trust the night was exactly as long as it needed to be. God promises to walk with us through both night and day.
4. What if I feel depressed, not joyful?
It’s understandable to feel more depressed or hopeless than joyful during times of difficulty. God isn’t asking us to pretend we don’t hurt. If depression or hopelessness persist, don’t hesitate to seek help through counseling and medication if needed. But also draw close to Christian community and God’s word. Speak truths of God’s faithfulness and salvation out loud. Play worship music. Get outside in creation. Depression can make it hard to feel joy, but joy is still real and will come.
5. How will I know when mourning turns to joy?
There is no one formula for how God ushers in joy after a hard season. Sometimes circumstances improve, relationships are restored, health bounces back. But joy ultimately comes from a tangible sense of God’s presence after feeling distant from Him. Joy comes when we sense the Spirit lifting our despair. When laughter comes easier. Peace and hope begin flowing. Our tears turn from anguish to joy. We worship with gratitude again. Eyes that only saw darkness start seeing God’s light and promises.
Verses about Joy Coming after Weeping
Along with Psalm 30:5, there are many other Scriptures that echo this promise of mourning turning to joy. Here are some of the most relevant and encouraging verses on this topic:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)
“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” (Psalm 30:11-12)
“Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
“For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” (Psalm 126:5)
“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 55:12)
“She who has borne seven languishes; she has breathed her last; her sun has set while it was yet day; she has been shamed and disgraced. So you will comfort me, Lord.” (Jeremiah 15:9)
“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.” (Psalm 30:11)
“Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
Examples of Joy Coming after Suffering
The Bible contains many real-life examples of God turning weeping into joy. We can look at the lives of biblical figures and take courage knowing that just as God brought joy after their weeping, He will do the same for us.
David
David wrote Psalm 30 as a testimony to how God turned his mourning into rejoicing. He experienced intense persecution, betrayal, and exile during his life. Yet he consistently found joy in the Lord. He painted a picture of God turning ashes to beauty and mourning to joyful dancing.
Naomi
Naomi endured tragic loss when her husband and sons died, leaving her destitute and grieved. She left Israel empty but later returned full, after God blessed her with a grandson named Obed. God restored Naomi’s joy after her season of utter weeping.
Job
After losing everything, Job scraped his wounds in utter agony and grief. But after wrestling with God, Job encountered Him deeply. God blessed Job with twice as much as before, including 10 new children. Job’s joy was completely restored after a long, excruciating night.
Jeremiah
Jeremiah, often called the weeping prophet, endured intense rejection and persecution his whole ministry. At times he wanted to give up, but kept trusting God’s promise that one day joy would come home to Israel. Jeremiah lived to see this joyous return from exile.
Jesus
No one understands our suffering like Jesus, who was despised and rejected by those He came to save. Yet Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him – resurrection victory! Because of Christ’s suffering, our mourning is turned to joy.
Prayers for Joy in the Morning
Based on the hope that joy comes after weeping, here are some sample prayers we can pray during hard nights:
God, during this painful time, help me cling to the promise that morning will come. Remind me that weeping is temporary but your joy is eternal. Strengthen my faith to trust you even when I cannot feel your presence. Empower me to hope in Christ’s deliverance.
Lord, during this long night of sadness, nourish my soul with the joy of your salvation. Fill my heart with praise, knowing you turn mourning into joy. Help me set my mind on your eternal kingdom, where every tear will be wiped away.
Father, hold my hand in the darkness. Comfort me with your nearness and remind me that dawn is coming. Guard my heart from falling into despair. As I wait patiently on your timing, show me pockets of joy that point to the coming morning.
Lord, lift this burden of grief from my heart, for it feels too heavy to bear. Yet, I know your mercies are new every morning. So I will look to you during this long night, trusting that joy will overwhelm my sorrow when light rises.
God, keep me from losing hope in the darkness. Remind me that though weeping lingers now, it will give way to joy. Fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. Morning is coming – joy will rise!
In Closing
Going through seasons of profound sorrow, grief, or disappointment is painful. In those long, oppressive nights of weeping, we can feel so far from joy. But as Psalm 30:5 reminds us, “weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” This profound promise of God’s word offers us eternal hope. We can rest assured mornings of relief, gladness, and joy will always follow dark nights of weeping. God in His faithfulness is preparing joy for us, even while we wait and hurt. Clinging to Christ brings us joy – now by faith and one day in fullness forever.