Bible verses about thankfulness
The verses people turn to most for thankfulness are 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Psalm 100:4-5, Psalm 107:1, Colossians 3:15-17 and James 1:17. They share one idea: thanks is a response to who God is and what he has already given, and it does not have to wait for an easy day. All twelve are below in full, short enough to read aloud at a Thanksgiving table.
Free to read, no account. Last updated November 9, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.1 Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
In the World English Bible
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
Paul closes a letter to a young church that was under pressure. Thanks is meant for every situation, not only the good ones, and he calls it God's will for them in Christ Jesus.
2.Psalm 100:4-5
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
In the World English Bible
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good. His loving kindness endures forever, his faithfulness to all generations.
A psalm for people walking in to worship. It gives thanks a reason: the Lord is good, and his faithfulness lasts through every generation.
3.Psalm 107:1
O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
In the World English Bible
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
The opening call of a long psalm that goes on to tell of people rescued from trouble. The thanks comes first, and the reason follows right behind it.
4.Colossians 3:15-17
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And what soever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
In the World English Bible
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Paul describes a shared life: peace ruling the heart, the word of Christ at home among you, singing together, and thanks running through all of it. A good one for a family table.
5.Psalm 9:1
I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
In the World English Bible
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart. I will tell of all your marvelous works.
David gives thanks with his whole heart and promises to tell of what God has done. Here gratitude is something said out loud.
6.Psalm 136:1
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
In the World English Bible
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
The first line of a psalm of twenty-six verses, every one of which ends with the same refrain about God's lasting love. It was built to be read aloud with others.
7.James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
In the World English Bible
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation nor turning shadow.
Thankfulness starts with noticing where good things come from. James says every good gift is from above, from a Father who does not change.
8.2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
In the World English Bible
Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!
Paul finishes a long appeal about generous giving with one sentence of thanks for a gift too great to put into words.
9.Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
In the World English Bible
giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
Gratitude as a habit rather than a mood. It is offered always, to God the Father, in the name of Jesus.
10.Psalm 95:2-3
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
In the World English Bible
Let’s come before his presence with thanksgiving. Let’s extol him with songs! For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods.
An invitation to come into God's presence with thanks and songs, because he is a great King. Thanks comes easier when you remember who you are talking to.
11.Hebrews 12:28
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
In the World English Bible
Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can’t be shaken, let’s have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,
In the Greek, 'have grace' is the usual way to say 'give thanks.' The writer puts thankfulness next to reverence, and the fitting answer is awe.
12.Psalm 118:24
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
In the World English Bible
This is the day that the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!
A short line for the start of a day. The psalm around it is about being rescued, and the day is received as something God made.
Free
Get one verse every morning
Today's verse, a short reflection and a prayer. Free, no account.
Read today's verseQuestions
What is the best Bible verse about thankfulness?
1 Thessalonians 5:18 is the one most people start with. It is short, it covers every circumstance, and it says giving thanks is part of what God wants for you in Christ Jesus. If you want a verse that gives a reason, Psalm 100:4-5 says the Lord is good and his faithfulness lasts through every generation.
What does the Bible say about giving thanks in hard times?
Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to a church under pressure, and he did not say to feel thankful for the hard thing itself. He said to give thanks in every situation. Psalm 107:1 and Psalm 136:1 root that in something that stays true when circumstances do not: God is good, and his love lasts.
What is a good Bible verse to read at Thanksgiving dinner?
Psalm 107:1 and Psalm 136:1 are short and easy to read aloud, and Psalm 100:4-5 works well as a blessing before the meal. If you only have a moment, 2 Corinthians 9:15 is a single sentence. Each is printed in full on this page, so you can read it straight from your phone.
Which Bible translation is used here?
Each verse is printed in the King James Version and the World English Bible. Both are in the public domain, so the text appears word for word.
Keep reading
Made by Lamplight, a small Sarvixo product. Notes on each verse are ours; the verses are printed exactly as published.