The oil of gladness” refers to a symbolic representation of God’s joy and comfort, given to those who are mourning, essentially meaning that God will replace their sadness with overwhelming happiness and renewal, like the act of anointing someone with oil to signify celebration or blessing; it signifies the Holy Spirit’s presence bringing joy and transformation to a person’s life. It signifies a change in and perhaps an evolution in someone’s life – same person, but with a blend of experiences unique to them, they become
something new…perhaps even something unexpected.
