Thanksgiving refers to an attitude of gratitude toward God. Filled with blessings in Christ, we recognize how deeply God loves us and respond with thanksgiving—that is, by thanking Him. One way to give thanks to God is through participation in the Eucharist (Mass), which embodies thanksgiving, praise, and joy.
With Hozana, let’s explore some biblical texts and verses about thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving as Blessing in the Bible
“The man bowed down and worshiped the Lord, saying, ‘Praise be to the Lord...’” (Genesis 24:26–27)
“Jethro said, ‘Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh...’” (Exodus 18:10)
“Praise be to the Lord, who has upheld my cause...” (1 Samuel 25:39)
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1)
“Praise be to the Lord, my Rock...” (Psalm 144:1)
Thanksgiving with Song and Praise in the Bible
“Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: ‘I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted. Both horse and driver He has hurled into the sea...’” (Exodus 15:1)
“In the fourth year, all its fruit will be holy, an offering of praise to the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:24)
“They sang hymns praising and giving thanks to the Lord: ‘He is good; His mercy endures forever.’” (1 Maccabees 4:24)
“I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me.” (Psalm 13:6)
Thanksgiving as Gratitude in the Bible
“On that day you will say: ‘I will praise You, Lord. Although You were angry with me, Your anger has turned away and You have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.’” (Isaiah 12:1–2)
“Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, ‘We have seen remarkable things today.’” (Luke 5:25–26)
“Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:7)
“But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
Thanksgiving as Eucharist in the Bible
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23–26)
To Go Further
Here is a recommended book:
Georges Passelecq, [Pastoral Table of the Bible]{.underline}
Reflection Questions
Am I aware of God’s love for me? Do I take time to thank Him?
Do I participate in Mass every Sunday to give thanks to God and grow in holiness?
What place do praise and prayer have in my life?
With Hozana, Let’s Give Thanks to God for Our Lives!
Let us thank God for all His blessings. By visiting hozana.org, we already have the grace to know God or to discover Him more deeply—a true gift, for “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
But these acts of praise should also inspire us to share God’s Word with those who do not know Him—this is evangelization, the calling of every baptized Christian.
Give thanks to God through praise with these Hozana communities:
Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving
How is thanksgiving defined?
According to the Church, thanksgiving means "a grateful attitude toward God." A synonym for giving thanks is thanking God. It is a prayer of gratitude for a grace received—that is, a blessing from God.
What are some examples of thanksgiving in the Bible?
The Bible contains many examples of thanksgiving. Here are three key ones:
Old Testament: The song of Moses and Miriam after crossing the Red Sea to escape Egypt (Exodus 15).
Gospels: The Magnificat of the Virgin Mary during the Visitation (Luke 1:42–55).
Paul’s Letters: Many epistles open with thanksgiving for fellow Christians (e.g., 1 Corinthians 1:4).
How is thanksgiving practiced?
Giving thanks to God can be done:
Personally, through a prayer of thanksgiving or a heartfelt "thank You."
Communally, especially in the Mass (the Eucharist means "thanksgiving") or special celebrations like Thanksgiving, originally a feast to thank God for harvests.
What are the 7 Psalms of thanksgiving?
Among the 150 Psalms, many express gratitude and praise. Here are 7 for thanking God:
Psalm 103: "Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name!" (v.1)
Psalm 138: "I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart; before the ‘gods’ I will sing Your praise." (v.1)
Psalm 9: "I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds." (v.1)
Psalm 33: "Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him." (v.1)
Psalm 41: "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!" (v.13)
Psalm 92: "It is good to praise the Lord and make music to Your name, O Most High." (v.1)
Psalm 116: "I will sacrifice a thank offering to You and call on the name of the Lord." (v.17)
