Introduction
Thanksgiving is a day to pause, gather around the table and remember where every good thing comes from. The Bible has a great deal to say about gratitude, and its words fit the holiday perfectly. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, are grouped into five themes: giving thanks in everything, gratitude for God's goodness, thanks for daily provision, a harvest of blessing, and coming before God with thanks. Read one before the meal, hand a few to family members to read aloud, or use them in a card. Let gratitude become a habit that lasts beyond the holiday.
Giving Thanks in Everything
1. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you."
Always rejoice, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Gratitude is not reserved for easy days. Thanksgiving Day is a good time to practice it with real honesty, naming blessings and also entrusting hard things to God. Read all of 1 Thessalonians 5.
2. Ephesians 5:20
"giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father;"
Give thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. The phrase in the name of Jesus reminds us that our thanks go through him. At your table, you might say thank you to the Father in Jesus' name before the meal begins. Read all of Ephesians 5.
3. Colossians 3:15-17
"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."
Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, and be thankful. Whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Gratitude is woven through the Christian life. Make thankfulness a rhythm that runs through your songs, your words and your work. Read all of Colossians 3.
4. Colossians 4:2
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,"
Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving. Paul links alertness in prayer with thankfulness, as if gratitude keeps our eyes open to what God is doing. A prayer life that includes gratitude stays hopeful. When you pray this week, begin with thanks before you ask for anything, and notice how your heart changes. Read all of Colossians 4.
5. 1 Timothy 4:4-5
"For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer."
Every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. This is a verse for the table. Give thanks over the food, and let ordinary meals become small acts of worship. Read all of 1 Timothy 4.
Gratitude for God's Goodness
6. Psalm 136:1
"Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever."
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever. This line echoes through the Psalms and has been spoken at gatherings for thousands of years. Read it aloud at your Thanksgiving table. It is short enough for children to learn and rich enough for a lifetime. Read all of Psalm 136.
7. Psalm 103:2
"Praise Yahweh, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits,"
Bless the Lord, my soul, and do not forget all his benefits. It is easy to forget. Take a few minutes before dinner to list the ways God has helped you this year, and invite others to share theirs. Naming benefits keeps memory alive and gratitude honest. Read all of Psalm 103.
8. Psalm 116:12
"What will I give to Yahweh for all his benefits toward me?"
What shall I give to the Lord for all his benefits toward me? The psalmist asks the question, and the answer is not payment but a life of worship, service and thanks. After the meal, think about how you can express gratitude in a practical way: a gift, a kindness, or a gesture. Read all of Psalm 116.
9. James 1:17
"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."
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. Whether it is a meal, a home, a friendship or a quiet morning, it ultimately comes from God. Thanksgiving is the practice of tracing gifts back to their Giver. Read all of James 1.
Thanks for Daily Provision
10. Deuteronomy 8:10
"You shall eat and be full, and you shall bless Yahweh your God for the good land which he has given you."
You shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Moses reminded Israel to thank God after meals, not only before. When you are satisfied, do not let it become ordinary. Pause and say thank you. Read all of Deuteronomy 8.
11. Psalm 145:15-16
"The eyes of all wait for you. You give them their food in due season. You open your hand, and satisfy the desire of every living thing."
The eyes of all wait for the Lord, and he gives them their food in due season. He opens his hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing. This is a lovely table reading. Every plate on your table comes from his open hand, through farmers, workers and cooks. Read all of Psalm 145.
12. Psalm 104:14-15
"He causes the grass to grow for the livestock, and plants for man to cultivate, that he may produce food out of the earth: wine that makes the heart of man glad, oil to make his face to shine, and bread that strengthens man’s heart."
God causes the grass to grow and plants to produce food from the earth, bringing wine that makes the heart glad, oil to make the face shine and bread to strengthen the heart. Notice that God provides for delight as well as need. Receive the feast as a gift from his generous hand. Read all of Psalm 104.
A Harvest of Blessing
13. Psalm 65:9-11
"You visit the earth, and water it. You greatly enrich it. The river of God is full of water. You provide them grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows. You level its ridges. You soften it with showers. You bless it with a crop. You crown the year with your bounty. Your carts overflow with abundance."
You visit the earth and water it, you crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. This harvest psalm celebrates the God who sends rain, grows crops and crowns each year with goodness. If you live where Thanksgiving falls in autumn, let it be a hymn to the Provider. Read all of Psalm 65.
14. Deuteronomy 26:10-11
"Now, behold, I have brought the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, Yahweh, have given me.” You shall set it down before Yahweh your God, and worship before Yahweh your God. You shall rejoice in all the good which Yahweh your God has given to you, and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the foreigner who is among you."
In Israel, the first of the fruit was brought before the Lord with worship, and the people rejoiced in all the good God had given them, together with the Levite and the foreigner among them. Thanks and sharing belong together. Invite someone who might be alone to your table this year. Read all of Deuteronomy 26.
15. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11
"Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness, you being enriched in everything to all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us."
The One who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed, and your generosity will produce thanksgiving to God. Giving and gratitude feed each other. Thanksgiving week is a good time to give to someone in need and let their thanks go up to God. Read all of 2 Corinthians 9.
Coming Before God with Thanks
16. Luke 17:15-16
"One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan."
Ten men were healed of leprosy, but only one came back to give thanks, and he was a Samaritan. Jesus noticed. Do not be among those who receive and forget. Return, as this man did, and say thank you aloud, to Jesus and to the people God has used to bless you. Read all of Luke 17.
17. Psalm 100:4
"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name."
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and bless his name. Thanksgiving is a gateway into God's presence. As you gather, begin with a hymn or a prayer of thanks and invite everyone, young and old, to enter that gate together. Read all of Psalm 100.
18. Psalm 95:2
"Let’s come before his presence with thanksgiving. Let’s extol him with songs!"
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and extol him with songs. Singing is a wonderful way to express gratitude. Consider singing a hymn together at the table, a simple song of thanks that even small children can join, and let joy fill the room. Read all of Psalm 95.
19. Hebrews 13:15
"Through him, then, let’s offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name."
Through him, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, the fruit of lips that proclaim allegiance to his name. Gratitude is not a mood, it is an offering. Make it with your lips, with words of thanks to God and to the people around you. Read all of Hebrews 13.
20. 2 Corinthians 9:15
"Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!"
Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift! Paul ends with the greatest gift of all: Jesus himself. Beyond turkey and pie, family and friends, the center of all our thanksgiving is Christ. Close your holiday meal with these words and let your gratitude rest in him. Read all of 2 Corinthians 9.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good Bible verse to read at Thanksgiving dinner?
Psalm 136:1 is a classic: give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Psalm 100:4 are also popular table readings. Choose one and invite a family member to read it aloud.
What does the Bible say about giving thanks?
The Bible calls believers to give thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18), to remember God's benefits (Psalm 103:2) and to thank him for daily food (Deuteronomy 8:10). Gratitude is both a command and a way to experience joy.
Which verses can I put in a Thanksgiving card?
Try 2 Corinthians 9:15, thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift, or Psalm 136:1. A short verse with a personal word of thanks makes a meaningful card.