What Does the Bible Say About Gratitude? 8 Verses and What Each One Means
The main Bible verses about gratitude are 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Psalms 100:4, Colossians 3:17 and Psalms 107:1. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is the most quoted: "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you". Psalms 100:4 makes thanksgiving the way in — "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving". Colossians 3:17 extends thanks to everything done "in word or in deed". Psalms 107:1 gives the reason: "for he is good". This page collects 8 Bible verses about gratitude with the full text, the reference and a one-line explanation for each.
Gratitude, in the Bible, is not a reaction to things going well; it is a chosen posture. "In everything give thanks" was written to a small, pressured community, and Psalm 100 invites us to enter the temple gates with thanksgiving before asking for anything. The psalms of thanksgiving tend to look back — "don't forget all his benefits" — because remembering the good we have received changes how we see the present. The verses on this page are for morning prayer, for the table, for a thanksgiving service and for those days when you have to decide to be thankful. A simple practice: read one verse and finish the sentence "today I am thankful for..." with three concrete things, written down where you will see them again tomorrow.
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name.
Psalms 100:4Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
Psalms 107:1In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
Psalms 136:1giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
Ephesians 5:20And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful.
Colossians 3:15
Frequently asked questions
Which verse says to give thanks in everything?
1 Thessalonians 5:18: "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you".
Which psalm is the psalm of thanksgiving?
Psalm 100 is the best known ("enter into his gates with thanksgiving"); Psalm 136 repeats in every verse that God's loving kindness endures forever.
How can I practice gratitude with the Bible?
Pick a verse, read it in the morning and write down three concrete reasons for thanks. After a few weeks the habit changes how you see the day.
See also
Scripture text: World English Bible (WEB), public domain. Prayers, introductions and reflections: original text by this site, not affiliated with any denomination. Devotional content; it does not replace medical, psychological or legal advice.