50 Thanksgiving Bible Verses for Grateful Hearts

Discover how gratitude can transform moments through God’s enduring promises.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 8, 2025

Discover how gratitude can transform moments through God’s enduring promises.

Thanksgiving is more than a holiday—it’s a lifestyle and an attitude rooted deeply in the Christian faith. The Bible richly encourages us to give thanks, see blessings in every circumstance, and maintain an attitude of gratitude. Whether in seasons of abundance or moments of hardship, Scripture directs us to praise God. This article presents 50 influential Bible verses about thanksgiving and gratitude, complemented by prayers, blessings, and practical application for everyday life.

Bible Verses for Thanksgiving and Gratitude

As we read the following verses, let them inspire reflection on God’s goodness. Use these Scriptures individually in personal prayer, as tabletop readings during family gatherings, or as themes for church services and devotionals.

Psalm 95:1-2 – “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!”
Psalm 100:4 – “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Psalm 106:1 – “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
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… 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.”
Psalm 107:8-9 – “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.”
James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
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 50:14 – “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High.”
Colossians 4:2 – “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
2 Corinthians 9:11-12 – “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God… overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 – “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
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.”
1 Chronicles 16:34 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Psalm 34:1 – “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Psalm 69:30 – “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.”
Hebrews 12:28 – “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.”
Psalm 92:1 – “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;”
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!”
Ephesians 5:20 – “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Psalm 136:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
Psalm 138:1 – “I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;”
Psalm 145:7 – “They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.”
Psalm 147:7 – “Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!”
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.”
Philemon 1:4 – “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers.”
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.”
Colossians 2:6-7 – “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, … abounding in thanksgiving.”
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 9:1 – “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”
Isaiah 12:4 – “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.”
Psalm 75:1 – “We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.”
Psalm 95:2 – “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!”
Daniel 2:23 – “To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might.”
Psalm 79:13 – “But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.”
Jeremiah 30:19 – “Out of them shall come songs of thanksgiving, and the voices of those who celebrate.”
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 116:17 – “I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.”
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.”
Philippians 1:3-4 – “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.”
Ephesians 1:16 – “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”
Luke 17:15-16 – “Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks.”
1 Timothy 2:1 – “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.”
Psalm 136:26 – “Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
Revelation 7:12 – “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
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.”
Psalm 118:29 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
2 Samuel 22:50 – “For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to your name.”
Psalm 136:3 – “Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;”
Psalm 26:7 – “Proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.”
Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly … with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Psalm 105:1 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!”
Isaiah 38:19-20 – “The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do this day; the father makes known to the children your faithfulness. The Lord will save me, and we will play my music on stringed instruments all the days of our lives, at the house of the Lord.”

Why Should We Give Thanks?

The Bible offers many reasons to give thanks to God. We are encouraged to thank Him because:

God’s love and faithfulness are everlasting (Psalm 100:5; Psalm 136:1)
God’s mercies are new every morning, even in difficult times (Lamentations 3:22-23)
All good things come from God (James 1:17)
Gratitude draws us nearer to God, grounding our faith (Psalm 69:30)
Thanksgiving is God’s will for us (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Giving thanks transforms our perspective and fortifies us against worry (Philippians 4:6)
Praising God in all seasons—good and bad—honors Him and cultivates deep trust (Romans 8:28, Hebrews 12:28)

How to Cultivate a Grateful Heart

Gratitude is not always a spontaneous feeling, especially in seasons of challenge. The biblical practice of thanksgiving is both an act and a discipline. Here are simple ways to develop gratitude daily:

Keep a gratitude journal – Write three things you’re thankful for every day.
Meditate on thanksgiving Bible verses – Use the above Scriptures as daily devotions.
Express thanks to others – Send notes, say kind words, and encourage those around you.
Pray prayers of thanksgiving – Begin each prayer by naming what you’re thankful for.
Sing songs of praise – Worship music can orient your heart toward God’s goodness.
Share testimonies of God’s faithfulness at church, home, and with friends.
Pause to reflect in challenging times – Seek God’s blessings even when life is hard.

Thanksgiving Prayers and Blessings

Saying a special prayer of thanks is a meaningful tradition on Thanksgiving Day or whenever you gather with loved ones. Here are two short prayers you can use:

Table Blessing:
“Heavenly Father, with grateful hearts, we thank You for the food before us, the loved ones beside us, and the blessings that surround us. Fill our hearts with joy and gratitude for all Your gifts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Personal Thanksgiving Prayer:
“Lord, thank You for Your steadfast love, for daily provision, and for Your presence that brings peace. Teach me to see Your hand in every detail of my life and to give thanks in every circumstance. Amen.”

Bible Verses on Gratitude in Hard Times

Biblical gratitude is never about denying pain or hardship but about finding God’s faithfulness amidst it. The following verses offer comfort and perspective:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 – “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.”
Romans 5:3-5 – “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
James 1:2-4 – “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…”
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good.”

Thanksgiving in the Psalms

The Psalms are filled with praises and thanksgivings, giving us poetic language to express appreciation for God’s works:

Psalm 103:1-5 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! … who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases…”
Psalm 136 – This Psalm repeats the refrain, “for his steadfast love endures forever,” grounding the reader in God’s unending mercy.
Psalm 118:1 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

Gratitude in the New Testament Letters

The Apostles, especially Paul, wove thanksgiving into their letters, regardless of circumstances:

Ephesians 5:20 – “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Colossians 3:17 – “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Philippians 4:6 – “In everything … with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Bible Verses About Thanking Others

While Scripture focuses on gratitude toward God, it also encourages appreciating and honoring people:

Philemon 1:4 – “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers.”
Romans 1:8 – “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.”
1 Thessalonians 1:2 – “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers.”

Practical Tips for Living with Daily Thanksgiving

Begin every day with a prayer of thanks. Naming just three blessings can reset your mindset for the day ahead.
Turn ordinary moments—meals, walks, conversations—into opportunities to recognize God’s goodness.
Encourage your family to share something they’re grateful for, especially during gatherings or bedtime prayers.
Insist on gratitude in actions; let words of thanks flow into works of kindness and generosity.

Table: Key Themes in Thanksgiving Bible Verses

Theme	Representative Verse	Summary
God’s Faithfulness	Psalm 100:5	Reminds us His love and faithfulness endure forever.
Thankfulness in Trials	1 Thessalonians 5:18	Calls us to give thanks in all circumstances.
Daily Provision	James 1:17	All good things are gifts from God.
Gratitude for Salvation	Jonah 2:9	Expresses thanks for God’s saving grace.
Expressions of Praise	Psalm 95:2	Songs and joyful noise as spiritual offerings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the most famous Bible verse about giving thanks?

A: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is among the best-known: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Q: Why do Christians celebrate Thanksgiving?

A: While the holiday has cultural roots, for Christians, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on biblical gratitude—acknowledging God’s faithfulness, provision, and love in every situation.

Q: How do you express gratitude according to the Bible?

A: The Bible suggests praying with thanks, singing praise, sharing testimonies, serving others, giving generously, and consistently thanking God in public and private life.

Q: What makes Christian thanksgiving unique?

A: Christian thanksgiving is rooted not only in temporary blessings but in God’s unchanging nature, our salvation in Christ, and the promise of His presence, even in adversity.

Q: Can I give thanks when life is hard?

A: Yes. The Bible acknowledges pain but encourages believers to focus on God’s presence and promises, finding reasons to give thanks for His enduring faithfulness and daily mercies.

Conclusion: Living a Life of Thanksgiving

Developing a thankful heart is a lifelong journey—a spiritual practice that transforms us and honors God. May these Bible verses and truths lead you into deeper gratitude, renewed joy, and a vibrant faith that blesses both your life and those around you.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb