Gratitude is woven into the fabric of biblical faith. From Genesis to Revelation — and especially in the Psalms and the writings of Paul — God’s people are called to remember his goodness and respond with thanks. Thanksgiving isn’t limited to moments when life feels full; it’s an act of worship that recognizes God’s hand in every circumstance.
When we give thanks, we shift our focus from what we lack to who God is — faithful, generous, and steadfast in love. Gratitude grounds us in joy, humbles us in grace, and opens our hearts to peace. In all things, Scripture invites us to live with a posture of praise.
Here is a selection of Bible verses about giving gratitude to God in good and bad times, and generally how to live in a posture of praise. These verses are presented in a variety of different Bible translations. You can click on each verse reference to read it in your own favorite version.
Give Thanks to the Lord!: Gratitude in the Psalms
Oh, sing to him you saints of his; give thanks to his holy name.
— Psalm 30:4 (TLB)
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and perform your vows to the Most High.
— Psalm 50:14 (ESV)
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.
— Psalm 92:1 (NKJV)
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
— Psalm 95:2 (NIV)
Enter his gates with thanks;
enter his courtyards with praise!
Thank him! Bless his name!
— Psalm 100:4 (CEB)
Praise the Lord!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His mercy is everlasting.
— Psalm 106:1 (NASB)
Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good.
His faithful love continues forever.
— Psalm 107:1 (NIrV)
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
— Psalm 107:8 (NRSVue)
Give thanks to the God of heaven,
For His lovingkindness (graciousness, mercy, compassion) endures forever.
— Psalm 136:26 (AMP)
Give Thanks to God for Everything: Gratitude in Paul’s Letters
Thank God that he gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
— 1 Corinthians 15:57 (GW)
Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
— Ephesians 5:19-20 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
— Philippians 4:6 (NRSVue)
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
— Colossians 3:14-17 (NLT)
Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God.
— Colossians 4:2 (GNT)
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.
— 1 Timothy 4:4 (CSB)
Thankfulness in Hard Times
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
— Job 1:21 (KJV)
For though the fig tree does not blossom,
and no fruit appears on the vine,
Though the yield of the olive fails
and the terraces produce no nourishment,
Though the flocks disappear from the fold
and there is no herd in the stalls,
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord
and exult in my saving God.
— Habakkuk 3:17–18 (NABRE)
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
— Romans 5:3 (NLT)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ESV)
My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
— James 1:2–3 (NET)
Giving a Grateful Testimony
I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
— Psalm 9:1 (NIV)
Let me shout God’s name with a praising song,
Let me tell his greatness in a prayer of thanks.
— Psalm 69:30 (MSG)
Oh, give thanks to the Lord!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
— Psalm 105:1 (NKJV)
O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples!
— 1 Chronicles 16:8 (RSVCE)
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place.
— 2 Corinthians 2:14 (NASB)
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
— Hebrews 13:15 (NIV)
Gratitude Today and Forever
“In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.”
— Proverbs 3:6 (ESV)
Now therefore, our God,
We thank You
And praise Your glorious name.
— 1 Chronicles 29:13 (NKJV)
Jesus took the bread in his hands and gave thanks to God. Then he passed the bread to the people, and he did the same with the fish, until everyone had plenty to eat.
— John 6:11 (CEV)
Give thanks to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. For the Lord is good and his unfailing love lasts forever.
— Jeremiah 33:11 (NET)
We give thanks to you, Lord God All-Powerful.
You are the One who is and who was.
We thank you because you have used your great power
and have begun to rule!
— Revelation 11:17 (ICB)
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