Proverbs 15:13
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Here, 1. Harmless mirth is recommended to us, as that which contributes to the health of the body, making men lively and fit for business, and to the acceptableness of the conversation, making the face to shine and rendering us pleasant one to another. A cheerful spirit, under the government of wisdom and grace, is a great ornament to religion, puts a further lustre upon the beauty of holiness, and makes men the more capable of doing good. 2. Hurtful melancholy is what we are cautioned against, as a great enemy to us, both in our devotion and in our conversation: By sorrow of the heart, when it has got dominion and plays the tyrant, as it will be apt to do it if be indulged awhile, the spirit is broken and sunk, and becomes unfit for the service of God. The sorrow of the world works death. Let us therefore weep as though we wept not, in justice to ourselves, as well as in conformity to God and his providence.
Open source ↗15:13 What people feel affects how they present themselves (cp. 15:30).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well.
Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
so the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, though you are not ill? This could only be sadness of the heart.” I was overwhelmed with fear
And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.