120 Bible Verses About Thankfulness

Expressing gratitude is a core theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of giving thanks in all circumstances. Here are thankful quotes from the Bible that inspire gratitude and reflection on God’s blessings.

Psalms of Thankfulness (KJV)

• Psalm 7:17 — “I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.”
• Psalm 9:1 — “I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.”
• Psalm 26:7 — “That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.”
• Psalm 28:7 — “The LORD is my strength and my shield… therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”
• Psalm 30:11–12 — “…O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.”
• Psalm 33:2 — “Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him…”
• Psalm 34:1 — “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
• Psalm 35:18 — “I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.”
• Psalm 50:14 — “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High.”
• Psalm 57:9 — “I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.”
• Psalm 69:30 — “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.”
• Psalm 92:1–2 — “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD… To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.”
• Psalm 95:2 — “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”
• Psalm 100:4 — “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
• Psalm 103:2 — “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”
• Psalm 105:1 — “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.”
• Psalm 106:1 — “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
• Psalm 107:1 — “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
• Psalm 118:1 — “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.”
• Psalm 136:26 — “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.”

Thankfulness in the Life & Words of Jesus (Gospels)

• Matthew 11:25 — “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth…”
• Matthew 15:36 — Jesus “took the seven loaves… and gave thanks, and brake them.”
• Matthew 26:27 — “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them…”
• Mark 8:6 — “He… gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples…”
• Mark 14:23 — “And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them.”
• Luke 10:21 — “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth…”
• Luke 17:15–16 — The healed leper “with a loud voice glorified God… giving him thanks.”
• Luke 22:19 — “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them…”
• Luke 24:30 — “He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.”
• Luke 2:38 — Anna “gave thanks likewise unto the Lord.”
• John 6:11 — “And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed…”
• John 6:23 — “…after that the Lord had given thanks.”
• John 11:41 — “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.”
• Matthew 14:19 — “Looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves…”
• Mark 6:41 — “When he had… looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves…”
• Matthew 26:30 — “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out…” (thankful worship)
• Luke 1:46–47 — Mary: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”
• Luke 1:68 — “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people.”
• Luke 7:16 — “There came a fear on all: and they glorified God…”
• John 4:22–24 — “…the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth…” (posture of grateful worship)

Gratitude in Paul’s Letters (KJV)

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 — “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
• Philippians 4:6 — “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
• Colossians 3:15 — “…and be ye thankful.”
• Colossians 3:17 — “…do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
• Colossians 4:2 — “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.”
• Ephesians 5:20 — “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• 2 Corinthians 9:15 — “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
• 2 Corinthians 2:14 — “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ…”
• 2 Corinthians 4:15 — “…that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.”
• 1 Corinthians 1:4 — “I thank my God always on your behalf…”
• 1 Corinthians 15:57 — “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Romans 1:8 — “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all…”
• Romans 6:17 — “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart…”
• Romans 7:25 — “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
• Philemon 1:4 — “I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers.”
• 2 Thessalonians 1:3 — “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren…”
• Colossians 2:6–7 — “…rooted and built up in him… abounding therein with thanksgiving.”
• 1 Timothy 2:1 — “…supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.”
• 1 Timothy 4:4–5 — “For every creature of God is good… if it be received with thanksgiving.”
• Hebrews 13:15 — “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually… the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

Old Testament Scenes of Thanks & Praise

• 1 Chronicles 16:8 — “Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name…”
• 1 Chronicles 16:34 — “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.”
• 1 Chronicles 29:13 — “Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.”
• 2 Chronicles 5:13 — “…praising and thanking the LORD… for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.”
• 2 Chronicles 20:21 — “…to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.”
• Ezra 3:11 — “And they sang together… in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good…”
• Nehemiah 12:27 — “…to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing…”
• Daniel 2:23 — “I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers…”
• Daniel 6:10 — “…he kneeled… and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”
• Jonah 2:9 — “But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving…”
• Deuteronomy 8:10 — “When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God…”
• Deuteronomy 26:11 — “And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee…”
• 1 Samuel 2:1 — “My heart rejoiceth in the LORD…” (Hannah’s song of grateful praise)
• 2 Samuel 22:50 — “Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen…”
• Isaiah 12:1 — “O LORD, I will praise thee… thou hast comforted me.”
• Isaiah 12:4 — “Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people…”
• Jeremiah 30:19 — “And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry…”
• Habakkuk 3:18 — “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
• Leviticus 7:12 — “If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer…” (thank offering)
• Leviticus 22:29 — “And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.”

Thankfulness in Trials & Perseverance

• James 1:2–3 — “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
• 1 Peter 1:6–7 — “Ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season… being much more precious than of gold…”
• Romans 5:3–5 — “We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience…”
• 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 — “My grace is sufficient for thee… when I am weak, then am I strong.”
• Habakkuk 3:17–18 — “Although the fig tree shall not blossom… Yet I will rejoice in the LORD…”
• Psalm 34:1 — “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
• Job 1:21 — “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
• Acts 16:25 — “At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”
• Ephesians 5:20 — “Giving thanks always for all things unto God…”
• Colossians 1:12 — “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance…”
• Psalm 56:12 — “Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.”
• Psalm 71:14 — “But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.”
• Psalm 42:11 — “Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him…”
• Psalm 27:6 — “Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing…”
• Lamentations 3:22–23 — “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed… they are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
• Psalm 118:24 — “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
• 1 Thessalonians 1:2 — “We give thanks to God always for you all…”
• Philippians 1:3 — “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”
• 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 — “Blessed be God… the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation…”
• Hebrews 12:28 — “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace… with reverence and godly fear.” (a grateful posture)

Thankfulness in Prayer, Worship & Daily Life

• Psalm 119:62 — “At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.”
• Psalm 107:22 — “Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.”
• Psalm 147:7 — “Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God.”
• Nehemiah 9:5 — “Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever…”
• Colossians 3:16 — “…singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
• 1 Corinthians 10:30–31 — “…whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (gratitude-shaped living)
• 1 Timothy 4:3–4 — “…meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving… For every creature of God is good…”
• Philippians 4:8 — “Whatsoever things are true… think on these things.” (habits that foster thanks)
• Ephesians 1:16 — “Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.”
• Romans 14:6 — “He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks…”
• Luke 18:13–14 — The publican’s humble prayer; God “justified” him. (gratitude’s humble posture)
• Psalm 145:10 — “All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.”
• Psalm 116:12–13 — “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation…”
• Psalm 75:1 — “Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks… thy wondrous works declare.”
• Psalm 107:8–9 — “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness… For he satisfieth the longing soul…”
• Psalm 69:34 — “Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.”
• Revelation 7:12 — “Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving… be unto our God for ever and ever.”
• Revelation 11:17 — “We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty…”
• Luke 17:19 — “Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” (gratitude and faith)
• Colossians 3:23–24 — “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord…” (gratitude in work)

Living a Life of Biblical Thankfulness (≈1,500 words)

Gratitude in the Bible isn’t a polite add-on to faith; it’s one of faith’s primary languages. From Israel’s thank offerings to Paul’s “in everything give thanks,” Scripture teaches that thanksgiving is how trust sounds, how hope breathes, and how love remembers. If you want a life where grateful words are more than holiday captions, here’s a practical, heart-level guide to weaving biblical thankfulness into ordinary days.

1) What the Bible means by “thankfulness”

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew words yādâ and tôdâ carry the idea of confession and praise—naming God’s works openly, offering thanks publicly (think: choir processions in Nehemiah, refrains of “for his mercy endureth for ever” in Chronicles and Psalms). In the New Testament, the Greek eucharisteō (“to give thanks”) shows up at tables, tombs, and churches: Jesus “gave thanks” as he fed crowds and broke bread; Paul tethered prayer to thanksgiving in every circumstance. Across both Testaments, thankfulness is not mood-dependent. It’s a chosen orientation: we rehearse God’s character until our hearts remember how to rest.

Takeaway: Gratitude is both truth-telling and trust-building. We tell the truth about who God is and what he has done; trust grows, and joy follows.

2) Why gratitude changes you (not just your manners)

• Gratitude reframes the day. When you start with Psalm 92: “It is a good thing to give thanks,” you aren’t denying pain—you’re deciding what gets the first word and the last word.
• Gratitude strengthens perseverance. James 1 and Romans 5 don’t pretend trials are pleasant; they insist God uses them. Giving thanks in hardship trains you to look for God’s work while you wait.
• Gratitude combats envy and anxiety. Paul pairs “be anxious for nothing” with “thanksgiving” (Phil. 4). Practically, that looks like naming gifts already given even as you ask for new help.

Practice: Try a two-column prayer: Gifts I see today and Grace I need today. Put at least three lines in each. This keeps thanksgiving and supplication married, as Scripture does.

3) The table is a classroom

Jesus “gave thanks” before distributing loaves to crowds and before the Last Supper. The early church kept that habit; their gathering around bread and cup even came to be called “Eucharist”—literally, thanksgiving. Meals are built-in liturgies if we let them be.

Simple table liturgy (60 seconds):

• One line of Scripture aloud (Psalm 100:4 or 136:1).
• One sentence of specific thanks from each person (“Thank you, Lord, for ___ today”).
• One simple request (“Bless those who are hungry tonight; show us how to share.”)

Consistency beats eloquence. Kids, roommates, and friends will remember the rhythm long after the menu.

4) A gratitude plan for different seasons

Busy & stressed: Use micro-thanks. As you wash your hands, say one sentence: “Thank you for the breath and work to do.” Tie thanks to something you already do twelve times a day.
Grieving: Gratitude does not erase sorrow. It keeps company with it. Pray Lamentations 3:22–23 each morning—just those two lines—and let the promise meet the ache.
Starting fresh: Begin a new journal with Colossians 2:6–7 on the inside cover. Each entry answers two prompts: “Where did I see grace?” and “Where can I say thank you out loud?”
Family life: Make a “mercy wall”—sticky notes of daily thank-yous on the fridge or door. When it fills, move them into a jar and read them on discouraging days.

5) Gratitude when it’s hard (and honest)

Biblical thanksgiving is not toxic positivity. Job says, “Blessed be the name of the LORD” with ashes on his head. Habakkuk sings while crops fail. Paul writes from prison. Honesty and hope travel together in Scripture.

A three-step prayer when you can’t feel thankful:

1. Name the hard without spin. “Lord, this loss hurts.”
2. Name one unchanging truth. “You are good; your mercy endures.”
3. Name one small gift still present. “Someone checked on me today. Thank you.”

This doesn’t minimize pain. It trains your soul to keep a window open for light.

6) Gratitude and justice

Psalms sing thanks and call for God’s justice. Thankfulness isn’t retreat from the world’s needs; it’s energy to engage them. When you say “Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift,” you’re also remembering you are saved to serve. Gratitude makes generosity natural, not forced.

Practice: Pair thanksgiving with action. If you thank God for provision, set aside a gift for someone in need that day. If you thank God for a mentor, write them a note or offer time to a younger person. Thanksgiving multiplies when it moves.

7) The community dimension: why we thank together

Over and over, Scripture says “O give thanks unto the LORD”—plural. Corporate thanksgiving forms a people who remember rightly. In discouraging seasons, you borrow someone else’s song; in triumphant seasons, you lend yours.

Ideas for churches, small groups, and friends:

• Thanksgiving psalm night: Read a chain of Psalms (100, 103, 107, 136), each person taking a verse.
• Stories of mercy: Once a month, share “Where I saw God’s faithfulness.” Keep it brief; keep it real.
• Communal gratitude list: A shared doc or board where people add daily thanks. Read highlights on Sundays.

8) How to pick verses for specific uses

• Cards & texts: Short lines like Psalm 100:4; 118:24; 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
• Mealtime blessings: Psalm 136:1; Deuteronomy 8:10; 1 Timothy 4:4–5.
• In hardship: Habakkuk 3:17–18; Romans 5:3–5; Acts 16:25.
• For worship sets: Psalm 95:2; 107:1; Revelation 7:12.
• Journaling anchors: Psalm 103:2; Colossians 2:7; Philippians 4:6.

When in doubt, pair one Psalm with one New Testament verse—song and application.

9) A 30-day thankfulness path (simple and sustainable)

• Days 1–7 (Notice): Read one Psalm of thanks daily (Pss. 92, 95, 100, 103, 105, 106, 107). Write three “today gifts.”
• Days 8–14 (Speak): At meals, each person says one specific thank-you. Text one gratitude note every day.
• Days 15–21 (Serve): Choose one small act of generosity daily—a message, a ride, a meal, a chore. Thank God before and after the act.
• Days 22–30 (Stay): Memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Psalm 100:4. When frustrated, say them out loud before responding.

By day 30, you’ll have muscle memory for thanks.

10) Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

• Generic gratitude. “Thanks for everything” helps no one. Name one concrete gift: a conversation, a solution, strength to show up.
• Conditional gratitude. Waiting to thank until life behaves keeps you stuck. Start small where you are; Scripture invites thanks in all things, not for all things.
• Performative gratitude. Social posts are fine, but unposted thanks—prayer, private notes, quiet help—often do the deepest work.

11) Prayers you can use today

• Morning: “Father, thank you for ___ (new mercy I notice). Teach my heart to see and say thanks as I ___ (work/study/care) today.”
• Mealtime: “Lord, for this food, these hands, and your faithful care—thank you. Make us mindful of those in need and ready to share.”
• Evening: “Jesus, for graces I almost missed—___, ___, ___—I’m grateful. Where I was anxious, forgive me; where I saw your help, shape me.”
• In trial: “God of comfort, I’m honest about ___; meet me here. Thank you for ___ still present. Hold me steady while you work.”

12) Gratitude as witness

In a weary world, gratitude is luminous. When you thank God openly for ordinary mercies—with gentleness, not performance—you help others see that goodness still interrupts the day. Your thanks can become someone else’s invitation to hope.

Last word: Scripture’s call is not “feel grateful,” but “give thanks.” Feelings follow practice. Start today—with one verse, one sentence, one shared song—and let the habit grow you into a person who remembers well and rejoices often.