There are so many thanksgiving scriptures in the bible or verses about giving thanks to God. According to the dictionary, thanksgiving is the act of expressing or feeling thankfulness or an expression of thanks, especially to God. 

It was customary for Jesus to give thanks to God in most of his prayers. So if Jesus as the son of God was always giving thanks, it means God also expects the same from us. 

Meaning Of Thanksgiving In The Bible

Thanksgiving in the bible means praising God for who He is, and thanking him for what He has done and the things He will still do. 

When you thank God, it does not mean that all your prayers have already been answered, you thank Him for life and for knowing that He hears you when you call to him. 

God expects us to offer thanksgiving at all times, even in difficult times, that is why the bible in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Table of Contents

1. Meaning Of Thanksgiving In The Bible
2. Benefits Of Thanksgiving Bible Verses
3. Giving Thanks To God Verses
4. Thanksgiving Scriptures In The Bible
5. Thanking God In Difficult Times Bible Verses
6. Giving Thanks To God For Everything Bible Verse
7. Gratefulness Scriptures
8. Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart Verse
9. Bible Verses About Appreciation And Gratitude To Others
10. Bible Passages On Thanksgiving
11. Let Your Thanksgiving Be More Than Your Supplication Bible Verse

Benefits Of Thanksgiving Bible Verses

When we offer thanksgiving, we don’t just do it because it is customary to do so. Thanksgiving comes with many benefits and these are some of the benefits of thanksgiving with bible verses:

1. Thanksgiving brings peace

One of the benefits of thanksgiving is that it gives you peace. The bible in Philippians 4: 6–7 says, “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. 

This just shows that when you make a prayer accompanied with thanksgiving, God will give you his peace, which transcends all understanding.

2. It aligns us to God’s will

Another benefit of thanksgiving is that it aligns us to the will of God. The Bible in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

3. It opens up closed doors

An added benefit of thanksgiving in the bible is that it acts as a key and with it, every chain becomes loose. 

The Bible in Acts 16:25-26 says, “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.”

And remember Jonah, after he was swallowed by the fish and he made a prayer to God and said the words of thanksgiving in Jonah 2:9, God spoke to the fish and it vomited Jonah. 

“But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.” So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.” – Jonah 2:9-10

4. Thanksgiving multiplies

When Jesus gave thanks for the fish and bread, it multiplied.

The Bible in John 6:11 says, “Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.”

5. It is life giving

The benefit of thanksgiving is that it revives. In most of Jesus’ prayers, He started by giving thanks. And even after Lazarus had passed on, He gave thanks and commanded Lazarus to come out. 

“So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”” – John 11:41-43

6. It makes one well

After Jesus healed the ten men with leprosy, only one came back to give thanks. And then Jesus said to him that his faith has made him well. So the benefit of thanksgiving in the bile is that it completes one’s healing. 

Luke 17:15-19 says, “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. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.””

7. It is to the glory of God

Thanksgiving is for our benefit and to the glory of God; that is why 2 Corinthians 4:15 says, “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”

Giving Thanks To God Verses

1. 1 Chronicles 16:34

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

2. 1 Chronicles 16:35

Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.”

3. Psalm 7:17

“I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.”

4. Psalm 35:18

“I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you.”

5. 2 Chronicles 5:13

“The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud…”

6. Psalm 100:4

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”

7. Psalm 106:1

“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

8. Psalm 106:47

“Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.”

9. Psalm 107:8,15, 21,31

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,”

10. Psalm 118:1 & 29

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

11. Psalm 118:19

“Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.”

12. Psalm 118:21

“I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.”

13. Psalm 119:62

“At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.”

14. Psalm 35:28

“My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.”

15. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

16. Colossians 3:17

“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.”

17. Psalm 7:17

“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.”

18. Colossians 2:7

“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

19. Colossians 3:15

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

20. Revelations 11:17

“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.” 

Thanksgiving Scriptures In The Bible

1. Psalm 100:4

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”

2. Psalm 69:30

“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.”

3. Psalm 95:2

“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”

4. Isaiah 51:3

“The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.”

5. Jeremiah 30:19

“From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained.”

6. 1 Corinthians 10:16

“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?”

7. 2 Corinthians 9:11

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

8. Ephesians 5:4

“Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”

9. Psalm 116:17

“I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord.”

10. 1 Corinthians 15:57

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

Thanking God In Difficult Times Bible Verses

The bible in Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” 

This means that we are expected to thank God even in difficult times. There are many people in the bible who gave thanks to God even during difficult times. 

Many of us like the book of Psalms because it is filled with praises to God. But this was mainly David praising God, even during difficult times. 

1. Psalm 34:1-3

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.”

2. Psalm 138:7-8

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.”

3. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

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

4. Romans 4:19-21

“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised”

5. Psalm 40:1-3

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.”

6. Psalm 28:7

“The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”

7. 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.”

8. John 11:38-44

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

9. 2 Corinthians 2:14

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.”

10. Daniel 6:10

“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”

Giving Thanks To God For Everything Bible Verse

1. Ephesians 5:20

“always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2. Colossians 3:17

“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.”

3. John 6:11

“Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.”

4. Psalm 106:1

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

5. Hebrews 13:15

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”

6. Colossians 4:2

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” 

7. Mark 14:22-23

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.”

Gratefulness Scriptures

1. Psalm 138:1-5

“I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me. May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great.”

2. Jonah 2:9-10

“But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’” And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.”

3. Jonah 4:6

“And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant.”

4. Galatians 4:15

“Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? I am sure you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible”

5. Acts 24:3

“For all of this, Your Excellency, we are very grateful to you.”

6. 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,”

7. Psalm 100: 1-5

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

8. Psalm 147:7

“Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp.”

9. Hebrews 12:28-29

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” 

10. Revelations 7:12

“Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” 

Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart Verse

1. Psalm 9:1

“I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.”

2. Psalm 103:1-5

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 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.” 

3. Psalm 136:1-5

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; …” 

4. Colossians 1:12

“and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”

5. Psalm 107:1

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

6. Psalm 28:7

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.”

7. Revelations 11:17

“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.” 

8. Daniel 2:23

“I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

9. Psalm 95:2

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.”

10. Colossians 2:7

“having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”

Bible Verses About Appreciation And Gratitude To Others

The bible wants us to show appreciation and gratitude to others and there are so many bible verses that support this. As a way to show appreciation, you can thank the person, let the person know how grateful you are for them, pray for them or even give them a gift. 

1. 1 Timothy 2:1

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,”

2. Romans 16:4

“They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.”

3. Ephesians 1:16

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”

4. 1 Corinthians 1:4

“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.”

5. 2 Corinthians 4:15

“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”

6. Philippians 1:3

“I thank my God every time I remember you.”

7. Colossians 1:3

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,”

8. 1 Thessalonians 1:2

“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.”

9. 2 Thessalonians 1:3

“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.”

10. 1 Timothy 2:1

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people”

11. 1 Kings 10:4-10

When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.

She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.” And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

Read more: Bible verses about caring for others

Bible Passages On Thanksgiving

1. Hannah thanked God for giving her children

One of the bible passages on thanksgiving was when Hannah made a thanksgiving prayer before God after a long season of barrenness. So when she had kids, this is the prayer she made.

1 Samuel 2:1-5 says:

Then Hannah prayed and said:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.

2. The women praised God after Ruth got married and gave birth to a son

The book of Ruth is about a woman named Naomi who lost her husband and two sons. But her daughter-in-law named Ruth decided not to leave her. And she ended up getting married to the family’s guardian-redeemer. 

Ruth 4:13-15

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

3. When Mary was told that she would become the mother of Jesus

When Mary was speaking to Elizabeth, this was her response in Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

4. Daniel after God revealed the dream to him

Daniel 2:19-23

During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

Let Your Thanksgiving Be More Than Your Supplication Bible Verse

If you want your prayers/supplications to be effective, it is important to accompany it with thanksgiving. 

Philippians 4:6

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” 

1 Kings 8:33-34

“When your people Israel have been defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you, and when they turn back to you and give praise to your name, praying and making supplication to you in this temple, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them back to the land you gave to their ancestors.