Beautiful Psalms of Thanksgiving and Gratitude to God

Thanksgiving is a tradition for the family to gather around the table and enjoy a delightful meal filled with turkey and pumpkin pie. Before the food is served, Christian families join hands to say a prayer of thankfulness for the food and blessings God has given.  Psalms of Thanksgiving offer plenty of inspiration for giving thanks.

Interesting Thanksgiving history fact - Prayers of Thanksgiving had been common long before the established Thanksgiving dinner of 1620. The Pilgrims looked to the Bible to declare gratitude and thank God for their first harvest. They knew that God was with them and they had much to be thankful for, regardless of their circumstances. We can always give thanks for God's mercy and grace in our lives."No matter what happens, always be thankful for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

King David is identified as the author of over 100 Psalms. The unifying theme of Psalms is praise for God, for His goodness. Almost all Psalms, even ones that start with sorrow and anger, end with praise and thanks to God by the last verse. By example or direction, the Psalms encourage the reader to join in giving thanks. Use these Psalms of Thanksgiving to praise God before eating together or for greeting cards to loved ones. It doesn't need to be Thanksgiving Day to your show thankfulness to God. Each and every day we can wake up and go to sleep giving gratitude for the blessings of God!

Psalms of Thanksgiving

We have collected our favorite Thanksgiving Psalms to recall God's goodness and express gratitude. God's Word is filled with Bible verses about thanksgiving and Scriptures about gratitude that can help cultivate a life that is filled with joy. The Psalms contain particularly powerful quotes for giving thanks and finding blessings in all circumstances - this is the power of thanksgiving. We encourage you to write down these Psalms and meditate on them as you ponder God's goodness and blessing in your life. 

Go a step further and read the entire chapter of these Psalms during the month of November and even read them outloud with your family to cultivate hearts of gratitude and thankfulness! 

Psalm 95

Let Us Sing Songs of Praise: Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work. For forty years I loathed that generation and said, "They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways." Therefore I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter my rest."

Save our Free 30-Day Prayer & Scripture Guide of Gratitude to your phone and share it with loved ones!

Psalm 34:1-8 - Taste and See that the Lord is Good

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Psalm 100:1-5 - Enter Into His Gates with Thanksgiving

A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 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.

Psalm 136 - His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

Give hanks 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; to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever; and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever; and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; and killed mighty kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever; and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever; and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever; a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures forever. It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 92:1-5 - How Great Are Your Works, Lord

It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. How great are your works, LORD, how profound your thoughts! 

Psalm 89:1-8 - Sing of the Steadfast Love of the Lord

I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’ ” The heavens praise your wonders, LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings? In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

Psalm 30

I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken." Lord, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: "What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help." You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

Psalm 103:1-6 - Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul

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. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.

Psalm 86:8-12

Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

Psalm 107:1, 15-22 - Let Them Thank the Lord

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

Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron. Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy! 

Psalm 116:12-19

What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD, I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!

Psalm 111

Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness. He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever- holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Psalm 145

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All your works praise you, LORD; your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.  The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

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.

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Psalm 50:14-15

“Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Psalm 69:30

I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

For more, read: Powerful Thanksgiving Prayers and Blessings to Inspire Gratitude This Year and 50 Thanksgiving Bible Verse for Gratitude and Praise

What Does the Bible Say About Thankfulness?

In our busy lives, it's easy to overlook the simple but powerful act of giving thanks. The Bible teaches us that thankfulness is more than just good manners—it's a key part of our relationship with God. When we take the time to be grateful, we align our hearts with God's will and open ourselves up to His blessings. Gratitude helps us shift our focus from what we don’t have to all the amazing things God has already given us. It’s a beautiful way to acknowledge His goodness, His provision, and His constant care. By embracing thankfulness, we nurture a humble spirit and strengthen our trust in God’s promises. Let’s remember to cultivate gratitude in our daily lives and see how it transforms our hearts and our perspective.

Several verses highlight the significance of gratitude:

1 Thessalonians 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." This verse reminds us that gratitude should be a constant practice, regardless of our circumstances.

Psalm 100:4: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." This passage underscores how thankfulness is a form of worship that honors God and brings us into His presence.

Colossians 3:16-17: "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly... with gratitude in your hearts to God. 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." Here, gratitude is shown as integral to living a Christ-centered life.

Philippians 4:6: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." This verse links thankfulness with peace, illustrating how it helps alleviate worry and strengthens our relationship with God.

Thank you for joining us as we reflect on the beautiful Thanksgiving Psalms. Praying over these Psalms can be a transformative practice in your own life throughout the year. As you read and meditate on these verses, allow them to stir your heart and deepen your understanding of God’s goodness. Let each Psalm guide you in crafting your own prayers of thanks, helping you to focus on the blessings you may sometimes overlook. May you experience the peace and joy of a life focused on giving thanks!

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash