What does the Bible say about laughter?
Quick answer
Laughter and joy are real gifts of God woven through Scripture. Sarah laughed at God’s promise; the redeemed will laugh in the new creation. There is right laughter and there is mocking laughter; the wise know the difference.
"Our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with shouts of joy" (Psalm 126:2) describes redemption celebration.
Proverbs warns against the mocker’s laugh (3:34) and applauds a merry heart (17:22). Laughter is a doctor for the soul when rightly fueled.
For us: don’t be too solemn to laugh. Christianity is the most serious thing in the world AND the freest from grim self-importance.
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Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.