Gratitude is a central theme in the Bible. God calls us to live with grateful and thankful hearts, recognizing all the good gifts He has given us. Here are some key Bible verses about gratitude and giving thanks:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Give thanks in all circumstances
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
This verse reminds us to be thankful not just when life is good but at all times, since God is with us in every situation. Even in the midst of suffering and trials, we can find reasons to thank God.
Psalm 100:4-5 – Enter God’s presence with thanksgiving
“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.”
As we enter God’s presence through worship, we should have hearts overflowing with gratitude. Thanking God reminds us of His enduring love and faithfulness.
Philippians 4:6 – Present requests with thanksgiving
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Rather than anxiety, prayer is the antidote for worry. As we make requests known to God, we should frame them with thanksgiving, trusting He hears us and will respond in His timing.
Psalm 107:1 – Give thanks for God’s goodness and love
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
This refrain is repeated four times in Psalm 107. God’s goodness and eternal love should inspire continual thanksgiving. Even when we forget to thank Him, He remains good.
Ephesians 5:20 – Give thanks for everything in the name of Christ
“…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We don’t have to be thankful for evil, but we can be thankful in every situation. Doing so in Christ’s name reminds us of His lordship over all things.
Psalm 9:1 – Give thanks from the heart
“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”
Thanksgiving shouldn’t be merely verbal, but a heartfelt response to seeing God’s wondrous acts on our behalf.
Colossians 3:17 – Give thanks in everything you say and do
“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.”
Having an attitude of gratitude should permeate everything, as we do even mundane tasks to God’s glory.
Psalm 118:29 – Thank God for His love and faithfulness
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
This verse bookends Psalm 118 by repeating the refrain to bookend the psalm. We should never grow weary of thanking God for His enduring, steadfast love.
1 Corinthians 15:57 – Thank God for the victory of Jesus
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
One of the greatest gifts we have to be thankful for is Christ’s victory over sin and death on our behalf. This allows us to share in eternal victory.
2 Corinthians 9:15 – Thank God for the gift of Jesus
“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”
There are no words sufficient to thank God for the gift of His Son as Savior of the world. We can spend an eternity thanking Him for Jesus.
Romans 1:8 – Thank God for other believers
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.”
Paul expressed thanksgiving for fellow Christians. We too can thank God for placing other believers in our lives, whose faith encourages ours.
Daniel 2:23 – Thank God for wisdom and power
“To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might.”
In dire circumstances facing death, Daniel thanked God for empowering him through wisdom and might to honor Him. We too can thank God for giving us what we need.
Jonah 2:9 – Thank God for answered prayers
“But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”
After God delivered Jonah from the belly of a fish, He offered sacrifices of thanksgiving for answered prayer. We should also thank God when He answers prayers.
Luke 17:12-19 – Only one leper returned to thank Jesus
Jesus healed 10 lepers, but only one returned to glorify God and give thanks. Too often we neglect to thank God for all He has done for us. Let us be like the one grateful leper.
Psalm 75:1 – Thank God for His nearness
“We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near.”
God draws near to the humble. We can thank Him for His promised closeness to those who draw near to Him.
Psalm 92:1-2 – Thank God for His love each morning
“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.”
As we begin each day, we should set the tone of gratitude by thanking God for His never-ending love and faithfulness.
1 Chronicles 16:8 – Thank God by calling on His name
“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!”
One way we thank God is by declaring His name and mighty acts before others. Sharing what He has done for us gives Him glory.
Psalm 105 – Thank God by remembering His faithfulness to His people
This psalm recounts God’s faithful acts towards Israel. We give thanks when we meditate on God’s steadfast love shown to His people throughout history.
Psalm 30:12 – Thank God for turning mourning into joy
“that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!”
When God turns seasons of mourning and grief into joy, we should respond with enduring thankfulness.
Revelation 11:17 – Thank God for His eternal reign
“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.”
We can thank God that His sovereign reign and justice will prevail forever. He alone is worthy of all honor and glory.
In summary, gratitude is a recurrent biblical theme. From commanding thanksgiving in the Law to praising God’s eternal reign in Revelation, the Bible highlights the importance of giving thanks in all situations for God’s love, wisdom, salvation, and faithful presence with His people. As those created to bring God glory, giving Him thanks is an essential spiritual practice.