The term "rejoicest" is an archaic form of the verb "rejoice," which appears in various translations of the Bible, particularly those that employ Early Modern English. To rejoice is to feel or show great joy or delight, and in the biblical context, it often refers to the joy that comes from a relationship with God, His works, and His promises.

Biblical Usage and Context

In the Bible, rejoicing is frequently associated with worship, gratitude, and the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and goodness. It is both a personal and communal expression of faith and trust in the Lord. The act of rejoicing is not merely an emotional response but a deliberate choice to focus on God's faithfulness and blessings, even amidst trials and tribulations.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament is replete with calls to rejoice, often in the context of God's deliverance and provision. For example, in the Psalms, which serve as a hymnbook for the Israelites, rejoicing is a common theme. Psalm 33:1 states, "Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous; befitting is the praise of the upright." Here, rejoicing is linked to righteousness and is seen as an appropriate response to God's character and deeds.

The prophets also speak of rejoicing in the context of God's redemptive plans. Isaiah 61:10 declares, "I will rejoice greatly in the LORD; my soul will exult in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness." This passage highlights the joy that comes from salvation and the transformative work of God in the lives of His people.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, rejoicing is often connected to the coming of Jesus Christ and the salvation He brings. The angelic announcement of Christ's birth to the shepherds in Luke 2:10 is a call to joy: "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.'" The birth of Jesus is presented as a source of immense joy for all humanity.

The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to rejoice, even in the face of suffering. In Philippians 4:4 , he writes, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" This command underscores the importance of maintaining a joyful spirit as a testament to one's faith and reliance on God's strength and provision.

Theological Significance

Rejoicing in the biblical sense is deeply theological, rooted in the understanding of God's nature and His relationship with humanity. It is an act of worship that acknowledges God's sovereignty, grace, and love. Rejoicing is not contingent upon circumstances but is a reflection of the believer's trust in God's eternal promises and His ultimate plan for redemption.

The Bible presents rejoicing as an integral part of the Christian life, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) that reflects the inner transformation brought about by faith in Christ. It is both a present reality and a future hope, as believers look forward to the fulfillment of God's kingdom and the joy that will accompany it.

Practical Application

For believers, rejoicing is a spiritual discipline that can be cultivated through prayer, worship, and meditation on Scripture. It involves a conscious decision to focus on God's goodness and faithfulness, regardless of external circumstances. By rejoicing, Christians bear witness to the hope and joy found in Christ, serving as a light to the world and a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel.

But they are Fed by These Fruits, that are Delighted with Them...
... I can do all things through Him which strengtheneth me. Whereat then rejoicest
thou, O great Paul? whereat rejoicest thou? whereon ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xxvi but they are.htm

We Ought not to Allow the Idea of Profit to Get Hold of Us. ...
... Thou rejoicest that a curse has smiled upon thy wishes, so that none should have
their produce. Then thou rejoicest that thy harvest has come. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi we ought not.htm

The Way to the Kingdom
... Then thy "soul doth magnify the Lord," and thy "spirit rejoiceth in God thy Saviour."
Thou rejoicest in that thou hast "redemption through his blood, even the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 7 the way to.htm

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Easter
... Bernard says: "With all wherein thou rejoicest and sorrowest, thou shalt also be
judged." Children, this will the Holy Ghost, when He comes to us, clearly ...
/.../xvi sermon for the fourth.htm

On St Barbara's Day, or that of any Other Holy virgin
... A saint once said: "With whomsoever thou rejoicest, and with whomsoever thou sorrowest,
with him wilt thou also be judged." St Paul says: "Reckon yourselves to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon ii on st barbaras.htm

Good God! what Takes Place in Man, that He Should More Rejoice at ...
... had been lost, and is found. For Thou rejoicest in us, and in Thy holy
angels, holy through holy charity. For Thou art ever the ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter iii good god what.htm

Epistle ix. To Donus, Bishop.
... to wit, at such times and in such manner as we dispute not that thy predecessor
used it; at the same time warning thee that, as thou rejoicest in having ...
/.../gregory/the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle ix to donus bishop.htm

Epistle xviii. To John, Bishop.
... times and in such manner as thou knowest without doubt that it was used by thy
predecessor; nevertheless admonishing thee that, as thou rejoicest in having ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xviii to john bishop 2.htm

That God and the Angels Rejoice More on the Return of one Sinner ...
... to tears, when in Thy house it is read of Thy younger son that he "was dead, and
is alive again, and was lost, and is found." [626] For Thou rejoicest both in ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter iii that god and the.htm

The Majesty of God is Supreme, and his virtues Inexplicable.
... serene; changest Thy ways, leaving unchanged Thy plans; recoverest what Thou findest,
having yet never lost; art never in want, whilst Thou rejoicest in gain ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter iv the majesty of god.htm

Rejoicest (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Rejoicest (4 Occurrences). Isaiah ... thee? when thou
doest evil, then thou rejoicest. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/r/rejoicest.htm - 7k

Rejoices (30 Occurrences)

/r/rejoices.htm - 14k

Rejoiceth (39 Occurrences)

/r/rejoiceth.htm - 17k

Winnowest (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 41:16 Thou winnowest them, and a wind lifteth them up, And a whirlwind
scattereth them, And thou -- thou rejoicest in Jehovah, In the Holy One of Israel ...
/w/winnowest.htm - 6k

Increasest (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 50:11 Because thou rejoicest, because thou exultest, O spoilers of Mine
inheritance, Because thou increasest as a heifer 'at' the tender grass, And ...
/i/increasest.htm - 7k

Exultest (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 50:11 Because thou rejoicest, because thou exultest, O spoilers of Mine
inheritance, Because thou increasest as a heifer 'at' the tender grass, And ...
/e/exultest.htm - 7k

Clapping (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 25:6 For thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because of thy clapping the hand, And
of thy stamping with the foot, And thou rejoicest with all thy despite in ...
/c/clapping.htm - 6k

Spoilers (19 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 50:11 Because thou rejoicest, because thou exultest, O spoilers of Mine
inheritance, Because thou increasest as a heifer 'at' the tender grass, And ...
/s/spoilers.htm - 12k

Scattereth (18 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 41:16 Thou winnowest them, and a wind lifteth them up, And a whirlwind
scattereth them, And thou -- thou rejoicest in Jehovah, In the Holy One of Israel ...
/s/scattereth.htm - 11k

Devices (43 Occurrences)
... devices, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? When thou doest evil, then
thou rejoicest. (DBY). Jeremiah 11:19 But I was like a ...
/d/devices.htm - 18k

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