"For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."
— Psalm 30:5 (NIV)
Psalm 30:5 is the "joy comes in the morning" verse. This page gives the verse, where it sits in Psalm 30, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about grief, Bible verses about joy, and Love and depression.
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The verse
The King James reads: "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."
"Weeping" is beki (H1065). "May stay" (KJV "may endure") is lun (H3885), to lodge overnight, like a guest who stays the night and then leaves. "Rejoicing" (KJV "joy") is rinnah (H7440), a ringing shout of joy. "Favor" is ratson (H7522), and "morning" is boqer (H1242).
Where it sits in Psalm 30
The heading reads, "A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David." David is thanking God for rescue: "Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me" (Psalm 30:2). Verse 4 calls others to join in: "Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name." Verse 5 gives the reason.
The psalm ends with the same turn from sorrow to joy: "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy" (Psalm 30:11).
What the verse is saying
The verse puts two pairs side by side. Anger lasts a moment, but favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping lodges for a night, but rejoicing arrives in the morning.
It does not say the night is short or painless. It names the weeping honestly and promises that it is a guest, not a permanent resident. That is why the verse is often read in grief and hard seasons. For more comfort verses, see Psalm 34:18 and Bible verses about comfort.
Questions people ask
What does Psalm 30:5 say?
In the NIV it says, "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."
Is "joy comes in the morning" in the Bible?
Yes. It comes from Psalm 30:5. The KJV reads, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."
What does "weeping may endure for a night" mean?
The Hebrew word for "endure" means to lodge overnight. Sorrow is pictured as a guest who stays the night but does not stay forever.
Who wrote Psalm 30?
The heading credits David and calls it a song for the dedication of the temple.
What other verses talk about joy after sorrow?
Psalm 30:11 (you turned my wailing into dancing), Psalm 126:5 (those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy), and John 16:20 (your grief will turn to joy) are close companions.
