27 Bible Verses about Giving Thanks to the Lord

The Bible has a lot to say about giving thanks to God. In 1 Chronicles 16:34, we are told to “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Thanksgiving is an essential element of worship, elevating our affection for God.

Gratitude keeps our focus on God and His goodness, rather than on our own problems. When we are feeling down, it is easy to get caught up in our own pain and forget all the good things that God has done for us. But when we take the time to express our gratitude to God, our mindset shifts and our hearts are filled with joy.

That's why the Apostle Paul says, "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" (Philippians 4:6-7)

Thanksgiving is the key word here. Giving thanks forces us to take our minds off of those things that are causing anxiety. Recounting our blessings to God helps us to focus on how we have experienced God's goodness which brings peace and contentment.

The Bible isn't the only advocate for giving thanks. Research has shown that gratitude can lead to increased levels of happiness and satisfaction with life. So next time you’re feeling down, take a few moments to reflect on all the things you have to be thankful for – including your relationship with God.

Thanksgiving Bible Verses

1 Chronicles 16:34

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 7:1

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 107:1

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Ephesians 5:20

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

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.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Thanksgiving in Prayer

1 Chronicles 16:8

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

Psalm 31:19

Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!

Psalm 136:1

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. 

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.

Colossians 4:2

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

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.

1 Timothy 2:1

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.

Thanksgiving in Worship

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 100:1-5

A Psalm for giving thanks. 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.

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.

Giving Thanks for God’s Goodness

Psalm 9:1

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

Psalm 103:2-5

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.

1 Corinthians 15:57

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

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.

2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

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 Timothy 4:4-5

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.

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.

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.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Lord, we come before you today to give you thanks. We are so grateful for your goodness, your mercy, and your grace. We are thankful for your love, which endures forever.

We thank you for your many blessings. We thank you for our homes, our families, our friends, and our health. We thank you for the food on our tables and the clothes on our backs. We thank you for giving us life and breath and all good things.

We are especially thankful for your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you that he came to earth to save us from our sins. Thank you that he died on the cross and rose again from the dead. Thank you that he is now seated at your right hand, interceding for us.

We ask that you would continue to bless us, Father. Bless us with your presence and fill us with your Holy Spirit. Help us to walk in obedience to your Word and to serve you with all our heart. May we bring glory to your name in all we do.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen!