What Does the Bible Say About Being Thankful? 11 Inspirational Verses

Written by Daniel Isaiah Joseph in Bible verses Last Updated July 27, 2023

Ephesians 5:20

ESVGiving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
KJVGiving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
NASBalways giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
NIValways giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NLTAnd give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

ESVGive thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
KJVIn every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
NASBin everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
NIVgive thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
NLTBe thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Also see Bible verses about finding your way

Colossians 3:17

ESVAnd whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
KJVAnd whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
NASBWhatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
NIVAnd 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.
NLTAnd whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Philippians 4:6

ESVDo not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
KJVBe careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
NASBBe anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
NIVDo not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
NLTDon’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Also see Bible verses about taking nothing for granted

Psalm 103:2

ESVBless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
KJVBless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
NASBBless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;
NIVPraise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
NLTLet all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

Psalm 106:1

ESVPraise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
KJVPraise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
NASBPraise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
NIVPraise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
NLTPraise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

Also see Bible verses about leaving the past behind

Colossians 3:15

ESVAnd let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
KJVAnd let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
NASBLet the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
NIVLet the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
NLTAnd 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.

Colossians 4:2

ESVContinue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
KJVContinue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
NASBDevote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
NIVDevote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
NLTDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Also see Bible verses about life

Psalm 100:4

ESVEnter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
KJVEnter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
NASBEnter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
NIVEnter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
NLTEnter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.

1 Chronicles 16:34

ESVOh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
KJVO give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
NASBO give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
NIVGive thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
NLTGive thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

James 1:17

ESVEvery good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
KJVEvery good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
NASBEvery good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
NIVEvery good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
NLTWhatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Daniel Isaiah Joseph

Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. He was a pastor for 10 years. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Please see his About page for details.

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