Proverbs
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22
Proverbs 17:22 (KJV) speaks to joy, cheerfulness, and healing — words set in Proverbs, the Bible's book of practical wisdom. Sit with it for a moment, and let the words do their quiet work.
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Verses that sit beside this one
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalms 118:24“But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.”
Psalms 68:3“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
John 15:11“Rejoice evermore.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”
Malachi 4:2“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10
Common questions
What does Proverbs 17:22 mean?
In the King James Version, Proverbs 17:22 reads: "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." The verse speaks to joy, cheerfulness, and healing. To read it well, take it in the flow of Proverbs 17 rather than on its own, and let the words settle slowly — reading it aloud, or turning it into a short prayer, is often what makes its meaning land.
Is Proverbs 17:22 in the King James Version?
Yes. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." is Proverbs 17:22 in the King James Version (KJV), found in Proverbs chapter 17.
What are some related Bible verses to Proverbs 17:22?
Verses that sit beside Proverbs 17:22 include Psalms 118:24, Psalms 68:3, and John 15:11. Reading them alongside Proverbs 17:22 deepens the theme of joy.
How can I pray with Proverbs 17:22?
Read Proverbs 17:22 slowly, take a breath, and turn it into a short prayer in your own words — thanking God for what it promises, or asking for what it points to. Keep it somewhere you will see it today, and let it be a companion rather than a task to finish.