Need a refresher on the importance of being thankful? These 30 Bible verses about thanksgiving and gratitude will set you on the right track!
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Did you know there are many truths in the Bible that are backed up by modern scientific research? One of those truths being, how beneficial gratitude is!
Modern psychology has proven that being thankful can improve your health, help you sleep better, build stronger relationships, and so much more. So, it’s no wonder that the benefits of gratitude are championed in the Bible too!
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)
From a Christian perspective, giving thanks to God for everything He’s given us is just the right thing to do. Gratitude humbles us, as we remember that we’re not entitled to be blessed…. But yet, God blesses us anyway. He gives us good gifts, He’s with us in hard times, He lifts us up, rescues us, and sets us on the right path.
And yet, being grateful is not always easy! Sometimes, it’s hard to thank God for everything in my life… especially the not-so-great circumstances that He’s still working for my good (Romans 8:28). I don’t know about you, but I definitely need to be reminded to practice more gratitude each day.
I’m sure that’s why there are so many Bible verses about giving thanks —because God knew we would need them!
30 Bible Verses About Thanksgiving and Gratitude
So, exactly what does the Bible say about thanksgiving and gratitude? As I gathered up these Scriptures, a few different themes emerged. I decided to separate the final 30 Bible verses about thanksgiving and gratitude into four groups, which you can scroll at your leisure, or jump to a particular sub-category using the shortcuts below.
I must say, the verses about living a lifestyle of thanksgiving are my favorites. They really drive home the essence of the Biblical teaching on thanksgiving—that gratitude should be an integral part of our everyday life!
Quick Links:
Verses 1-7: Bible Verses About Thanking God for Who He Is
Verses 8-14: Bible Verses About Being Thankful for Blessings
Verses 15-22: Bible Verses About Thanking God in Difficult Times
Verses 23-30: Bible Verses About Living a Lifestyle of Thanksgiving
Bible Verses About Thanking God for Who He Is
No matter what kind of season or circumstances you’re in, you can always give thanks to God for who He is! As these Bible verses about giving thanks to God point out, He’s the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow… and He is our creator, provider, protector, and so much more.
1) Psalm 136:1 (NIV)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2) James 1:17 (NIV)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
3) Hebrews 12:28 (NLT)
Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.
4) Psalm 103:2-5 (NIV)
Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
5) 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
6) 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
7) Psalm 150:1-2 (NIV)
Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Bible Verses About Being Thankful for Blessings
Of course, God also gives so many good things that we enjoy! From the basics, to the special blessings, there is so much to be grateful for. And there are so many great examples of thanksgiving in the Bible! As you read through these Bible verses about thanksgiving and gratitude, think about everything He’s given you, and how you can be thankful and content with that.
8) Psalm 118:24 (NLT)
This is the day the LORD has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
9) 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
10) 1 Timothy 4:4-5 (NIV)
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
11) Luke 17:15-16 (NIV)
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
12) 1 Samuel 1:27-28 (NIV)
“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.
13) Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
14) Psalm 9:1-2 (NIV)
I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
Bible Verses About Thanking God in Difficult Times
Yes, this is the hardest thing… it’s not easy to praise the Lord in difficult times! But, who are we to think we’re entitled to only good from our Creator? We might not like the struggles, the discipline, the losses, etc., but God is still good. Whenever you’re in a tough spot, these Bible verses about giving thanks to God will encourage you to still praise Him—in spite of whatever you face.
15) Job 1:21 (NIV)
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.”
16) Acts 16:25-26 (NIV)
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
17) Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
18) Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV)
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.
19) Psalm 16:7-8 (NIV)
I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
20) James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
21) Psalm 59:16 (NLT)
But as for me, I will sing about your power.
Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.
For you have been my refuge,
a place of safety when I am in distress.
22) Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV)
Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved,
for you are the one I praise.
Bible Verses About Living a Lifestyle of Thanksgiving
This last collection of Bible verses about thanksgiving and gratitude ties everything together… and it’s all about making a daily practice of thankfulness to God! By giving thanks to God for everything in prayer, and rejoicing in His presence, we can live the kind of life that brings glory to Him.
23) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
24) Colossians 3:16-17 (NIV)
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 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.
25) Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
26) 1 Thessalonians 1:2 (NIV)
We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.
27) 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.
28) Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
29) 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NLT)
Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
30) Colossians 4:2 (NLT)
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Something that occurred to me afresh, as I was compiling these Bible verses about thanksgiving and gratitude: The more grateful we are for God’s unending grace and mercy, the greater our desire to do what’s right. That is, when I’m more grateful to be forgiven, I want to turn away from sin, and do what’s right in God’s eyes.
One final note about these Bible verses on thanksgiving and appreciation: How grateful we are, depends on our perspective! We have to celebrate all the blessings in our lives, rather than complaining about what we’re supposedly lacking. So, let’s acknowledge God in all His Glory, and appreciate all that He’s done for us (and IS doing, and WILL do!). Which is A LOT!
Hi! Thank you so much for visiting Divine Creative Love. I’m a Jesus-lovin’ girl, lettering artist, designer, and general creative-at-heart. And, I have narcolepsy. I blog about faith in God, overcoming challenges, and creative topics such as Bible journaling. If you’re new here, be sure and subscribe to my list so you won’t miss anything!