100+ Thanksgiving Bible Verses That Will Make You Thankful

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What the Bible Says About Giving Thanks

The Bible frequently emphasizes gratitude as a vital aspect of faith. For instance, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Bible Quotation for Thanksgiving

A fitting quotation for Thanksgiving is Psalms 107:1, "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Significance of Thanksgiving in the Bible

Thanksgiving in the Bible represents a heart of gratitude towards God, acknowledging His blessings and faithfulness. It's seen as a way to honor God for His provision and care.

Spiritual Significance of Thanksgiving

Spiritually, Thanksgiving is more than a ritual; it's an attitude that keeps believers connected to God's grace and mercy, fostering a sense of humility and dependence on Him.

Understanding the Breakthrough Power of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has the power to bring spiritual breakthroughs, as it shifts the focus from problems to the Provider, leading to increased faith and trust in God's plans.

What Does the Book of Psalms Say About Thanksgiving?

The Book of Psalms is replete with verses about giving thanks, such as Psalm 95:2, "Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song," emphasizing praise and gratitude as core to worship. Recite, memorize, and meditate on the book of psalms to internalize a greater sense of gratitude!

Let's get started!

1 Chronicles 16:34–35:

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

for his steadfast love endures forever!

Say also:

“Save us, O God of our salvation,

and gather and deliver us from among the nations,

that we may give thanks to your holy name

and glory in your praise.”

1 Chronicles 29:13:

And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

Jonah 2:9:

But I with the voice of thanksgiving

will sacrifice to you;

what I have vowed I will pay.

Salvation belongs to the LORD!

Psalm 7:17:

I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.

Psalm 9:1:

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 26:6–7:

I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O LORD, proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.

Psalm 28:7:

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

my heart exults,

and with my song I give thanks to him.

Psalm 30:4:

Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,

and give thanks to his holy name.

Psalm 30:12:

That my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.

O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Psalm 50:14:

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,

and perform your vows to the Most High …

Psalm 69:30:

I will praise the name of God with a song;

I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 95:2–3:

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

For the LORD is a great God,

and a great King above all gods.

Psalm 100:1–4:

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

Serve the LORD with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the LORD, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the LORD is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 105:1–2:

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;

make known his deeds among the peoples!

Sing to him, sing praises to him;

tell of all his wondrous works!

Psalm 107:1, 8–9:

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever! …

Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

For he satisfies the longing soul,

and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Psalm 136:1:

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 136:26:

Give thanks to the God of heaven,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 147:7:

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;

Make melody to our God on the lyre!

Isaiah 12:1, 4–5:

You will say in that day:

“I will give thanks to you, O LORD,

for though you were angry with me,

your anger turned away,

that you might comfort me. …”

And you will say in that day:

“Give thanks to the LORD,

call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the peoples,

proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously;

let this be made known in all the earth.”

Amos 4:5:

“Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened,

and proclaim freewill offerings, publish them;

for so you love to do, O people of Israel!”

declares the Lord GOD.

Daniel 2:23:

“To you, O God of my fathers,

I give thanks and praise,

for you have given me wisdom and might,

and have now made known to me what we asked of you,

for you have made known to us the king's matter.”

Jeremiah 30:19:

Out of them shall come songs of thanksgiving,

and the voices of those who celebrate.

I will multiply them, and they shall not be few;

I will make them honored, and they shall not be small.

Jeremiah 33:11:

The voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD:

“‘Give thanks to the LORD of hosts,

for the LORD is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever!'

For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first,” says the LORD.

John 6:11:

Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.

1 Corinthians 15:57:

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:14:

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

2 Corinthians 4:15:

For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 9:11:

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

Colossians 3:15–17:

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Revelation 11:17:

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,

who is and who was,

for you have taken your great power

and begun to reign.”

Bible verses about thanksgiving and gratitude

Gratitude is an often overlooked virtue we should cultivate.

If thanksgiving is how we respond to God's goodness in our life, gratitude is what we feel in the depths of our heart. It is the well by which we can draw authentic expressions of thanksgiving.

What Do New Testament Scriptures on Thanksgiving Say?

The New Testament scriptures on Thanksgiving speak to the importance of gratitude as a fundamental Christian virtue. Verses like Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him," emphasize the centrality of thankfulness in the Christian life. 

This gratitude is not only for material blessings but also for spiritual ones, including salvation, grace, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Thanksgiving is portrayed as a way of life, encouraging believers to maintain a constant attitude of gratitude in all circumstances, as seen in Philippians 4:6: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." 

These scriptures collectively underscore the belief that a thankful heart is pleasing to God and integral to a faithful and fulfilling Christian walk.

To truly become a thankful person, allow these verses about gratitude to dig deep into your heart.

Numbers 6:24–26:

the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Ruth 1:8:

But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother's house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.”

Ruth 2:12:

“The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”

2 Samuel 2:6:

Now may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. And I will do good to you because you have done this thing.

Colossians 3:16:

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

1 Peter 1:6–7:

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Bible verses about praise and thanksgiving

Did you know there's a slight difference between praise and thanksgiving?

In Bible verses about praise and thanksgiving, what we see is that giving thanksgiving is generally about thanking God for what he has done for you, whereas praise focuses more on praising God for who he is.

Did you catch the difference?

Read it one more time.

As you thank God for what he has done, use these verses below to help you praise him for who he is.

2 Chronicles 5:13:

And it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the LORD), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the LORD,

“For he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever,”

the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud.

Nehemiah 12:46:

For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of the singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah gave the daily portions for the singers and the gatekeepers; and they set apart that which was for the Levites; and the Levites set apart that which was for the sons of Aaron.

Psalm 28:7:

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

my heart exults,

and with my song I give thanks to him.

Psalm 30:4, 12:

Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,

and give thanks to his holy name …

that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.

O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Psalm 100:4:

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Psalm 107:21–22:

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,

and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

Bible verses about thanksgiving in prayer

Learning how to pray is not something you have to figure out on your own. God lays out plenty of details in the Bible on how to pray and cultivate a prayerful life.

Use the verses below as a guide in your prayers and thanksgiving to God.

Psalm 34:1–4:

I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul makes its boast in the LORD;

let the humble hear and be glad.

Oh, magnify the LORD with me,

and let us exalt his name together!

I sought the LORD, and he answered me

and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 103:1–5:

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and all that is within me,

bless his holy name!

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits,

who forgives all your iniquity,

who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit,

who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 141:2:

Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,

and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!

Colossians 1:3:

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you …

Colossians 4:2:

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Ephesians 1:16:

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

Ephesians 5:19–20:

Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:3:

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.

Philippians 4:6–7:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 1:2:

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Hebrews 13:15:

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Bible verses about thanksgiving for friends and Christian community

God does not expect you to live your life alone.

You were created to be in a relationship with him and other people—family, friends, and your church. You need close friends who will support you, encourage you, and help you to live your life for Christ.

Naturally, there will be times when you're feeling at odds with people in your life. Anytime you add one sinner with another sinner you're going to have a problem now and then. When (not if) this happens, it's essential to still express thanks for your friends and Christian community.

Here are several Bible verses and examples about expressing thanksgiving for your friends and Christian community.

Acts 28:15–16:

And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.

Romans 1:7–8:

To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.

1 Corinthians 1:4:

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:15:

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Ephesians 1:15–16:

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

Philippians 1:3–5:

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Philemon 4:

I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers.

1 Thessalonians 1:2:

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers.

2 Timothy 1:3–4:

I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.

Bible verses about thanksgiving in hard times

Giving thanks in hard times is where the rubber meets the road for many Christians.

Let's admit: It's easy to be thankful when things are going well. However, when something goes wrong, when you're mistreated, or when you're diagnosed with an illness, giving thanks during hard times isn't natural—let alone comfortable.

Here's the deal about hard times: They're meant to enlarge our faith; not diminish our faith.

There will be times when you feel like your faith is nonexistent or that God has decided to leave you hanging when you're suffering. But that's not the case at all.

We know from Bible verses about thanksgiving in hard times that God will not leave you or forsake you (Deut. 31:6) and he uses the hard times in your life to make you more like Jesus.

Choosing a bible verse, like those listed below, during hard times can provide the encouragement you need.

Deuteronomy 31:6:

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

Psalm 28:1:

To you, O LORD, I call;

my rock, be not deaf to me,

lest, if you be silent to me,

I become like those who go down to the pit.

Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,

when I cry to you for help,

when I lift up my hands

toward your most holy sanctuary.

Do not drag me off with the wicked,

with the workers of evil,

who speak peace with their neighbors

while evil is in their hearts.

Give to them according to their work

and according to the evil of their deeds;

give to them according to the work of their hands;

render them their due reward.

Because they do not regard the works of the LORD

or the work of his hands,

he will tear them down and build them up no more.

Blessed be the LORD!

For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

my heart exults,

and with my song I give thanks to him.

The LORD is the strength of his people;

he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!

Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Psalm 106:1:

Praise the LORD!

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 116:17:

I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving

and call on the name of the LORD.

Proverbs 3:5–6:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

Job 1:21:

And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Jeremiah 32:37:

Behold, I will gather them from all the countries to which I drove them in my anger and my wrath and in great indignation. I will bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety.

Isaiah 41:10:

Fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Matthew 6:25:

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”

John 14:26:

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

2 Corinthians 4:17:

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 12:8:

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Romans 8:28:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 12:12:

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Ephesians 5:20:

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ …

Colossians 2:6–7:

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

1 Thessalonians 5:16:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Timothy 4:4:

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

1 Peter 1:6:

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 4:12–13:

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

1 Peter 5:7:

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Christian Quotes About Thanksgiving

“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.” - AW Tozer

“It’s one thing to be grateful. It’s another to give thanks. Gratitude is what you feel. Thanksgiving is what you do.” - Tim Keller

Bible Verses About Little Things Making a Difference

"He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'” - Matthew 17:20

"Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?" - Zechariah 4:10

Key Takeaways

• Cultivate a thankful heart, no matter what you are going through
• Draw strength from Scripture when you find yourself in the midst of a struggle
• Find peace and contentment in knowing you are loved and valued by God
• Foster a spirit of thankfulness in the midst of trial, and you’ll see great fruit
• Share words of thanksgiving with brothers and sisters in Christ
• Find encouragement and hope in the Bible, in prayer, and in community
• Rejoice in God's goodness–He is a good Father!
• Renew faith and gratitude daily with practices of prayer and Bible study

FAQs

Why are Thanksgiving Scriptures Important?

Thanksgiving Scriptures are crucial because they encourage believers to give thanks and express gratitude, not just for material blessings, but for spiritual ones as well. They help us reflect on blessings in our lives, fostering a deeper sense of praise and worship. 

These scriptures also offer a means to seek inspiration and guidance in our spiritual journey, reminding us of the importance of a grateful heart in our relationship with God.

Where Can I Find Thanksgiving Scriptures?

You can find Thanksgiving Scriptures throughout the Bible, particularly in the Book of Psalms and the New Testament epistles, where expressions of gratitude, praise, and worship are abundant. 

These passages are a resource to seek inspiration and find solace, reminding us of the importance of giving thanks in all circumstances. Online Bible resources and religious texts also categorize verses that emphasize giving thanks and expressing gratitude.

How Can I Incorporate Thanksgiving Scriptures into My Thanksgiving Celebration?

To incorporate Thanksgiving Scriptures into your celebration, you can use these verses in prayers, as a means to give thanks and seek guidance. You might also reflect on blessings by sharing these scriptures with family and friends, using them in dinner table conversations or as part of a Thanksgiving toast. 

Additionally, incorporating verses into decorations or as part of a gratitude activity can enhance the sense of praise and worship, and offer solace and inspiration to you and your guests during the celebration.

There are so many ways to apply Thanksgiving scriptures to your own celebration…get creative!

Check out these additional Bible verse posts

For additional encouraging bible verses and Bible verse posts, check out these resources:

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