Thankfulness, a profound expression of gratitude and appreciation, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. It is not merely an emotion but a deliberate act of acknowledging God's goodness and provision. The Scriptures provide numerous examples of individuals who exemplified thankfulness, serving as models for believers.

Old Testament Examples

1. David: King David is a quintessential example of thankfulness. His psalms are replete with expressions of gratitude. In Psalm 100:4 , he exhorts, "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name." David's life, despite its trials, was marked by a continual acknowledgment of God's faithfulness and mercy.

2. Hannah: In 1 Samuel 1-2, Hannah's account is a poignant illustration of thankfulness. After years of barrenness, God answers her prayers for a child. In response, Hannah offers a prayer of thanksgiving, saying, "My heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD" (1 Samuel 2:1). Her gratitude is further demonstrated by dedicating her son Samuel to the Lord's service.

3. Daniel: Daniel's life in Babylon was fraught with challenges, yet he maintained a spirit of thankfulness. Daniel 6:10 records, "Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before." His unwavering gratitude, even in the face of persecution, underscores his deep trust in God.

New Testament Examples

1. Jesus Christ: Jesus Himself exemplified thankfulness. Before feeding the 5,000, He took the loaves and fish and "gave thanks" (John 6:11). At the Last Supper, He again gave thanks, instituting the practice of communion (Luke 22:19). Jesus' thankfulness was an integral part of His ministry, reflecting His relationship with the Father.

2. Paul: The Apostle Paul frequently expressed thankfulness in his epistles, often beginning his letters with words of gratitude. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 , he instructs believers, "Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Despite enduring immense suffering, Paul maintained a heart of gratitude, viewing it as essential to the Christian life.

3. The Samaritan Leper: In Luke 17:11-19, Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one, a Samaritan, returns to give thanks. Jesus highlights this act, asking, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?" (Luke 17:17). The Samaritan's thankfulness is commended by Jesus, illustrating the importance of recognizing and expressing gratitude for God's blessings.

Theological Implications

Thankfulness in the Bible is more than a response to favorable circumstances; it is a recognition of God's sovereignty and goodness in all situations. It is an act of worship that acknowledges God's grace and provision. The examples of thankfulness in Scripture encourage believers to cultivate a heart of gratitude, regardless of their circumstances, as a testament to their faith and trust in God.Genesis 32:10
I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which you have showed to your servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.
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Genesis 48:11,15,16
And Israel said to Joseph, I had not thought to see your face: and, see, God has showed me also your seed.
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Exodus 15:1-21
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying, I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider has he thrown into the sea.
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Numbers 21:17,18
Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing you to it:
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1 Kings 8:56
Blessed be the LORD, that has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there has not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
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1 Chronicles 29:14
But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of you, and of your own have we given you.
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Ezra 7:27
Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which has put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:
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Psalm 9:1,2,4
I will praise you, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all your marvelous works.
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Psalm 13:6
I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.
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Psalm 22:23-25
You that fear the LORD, praise him; all you the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all you the seed of Israel.
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Psalm 26:7
That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all your wondrous works.
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Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise him.
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Psalm 30:1,3,11,12
I will extol you, O LORD; for you have lifted me up, and have not made my foes to rejoice over me.
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Psalm 31:7,21
I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy: for you have considered my trouble; you have known my soul in adversities;
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Psalm 35:9,10,18
And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
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Psalm 40:2,3,5
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet on a rock, and established my goings.
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Psalm 41:11,12
By this I know that you favor me, because my enemy does not triumph over me.
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Psalm 44:7,8
But you have saved us from our enemies, and have put them to shame that hated us.
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Psalm 54:6,7
I will freely sacrifice to you: I will praise your name, O LORD; for it is good.
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Psalm 56:12,13
Your vows are on me, O God: I will render praises to you.
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Psalm 59:16,17
But I will sing of your power; yes, I will sing aloud of your mercy in the morning: for you have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
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Psalm 66:8,9,12-16,20
O bless our God, you people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
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Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
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Psalm 71:15,23,24
My mouth shall show forth your righteousness and your salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
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Psalm 79:13
So we your people and sheep of your pasture will give you thanks for ever: we will show forth your praise to all generations.
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Psalm 89:1
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known your faithfulness to all generations.
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Psalm 92:1,2,4
IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH:
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Psalm 98:1
O sing to the LORD a new song; for he has done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, has gotten him the victory.
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Psalm 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful to him, and bless his name.
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Psalm 102:18-20
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
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Psalm 104:1
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with honor and majesty.
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Psalm 116:12-14,17
What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
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Psalm 119:65,108
You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word.
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Psalm 136:1-26
O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.
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Isaiah 63:7
I will mention the loving kindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he has bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.
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Daniel 2:23
I thank you, and praise you, O you God of my fathers, who have given me wisdom and might, and have made known to me now what we desired of you: for you have now made known to us the king's matter.
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Daniel 4:2,34
I thought it good to show the signs and wonders that the high God has worked toward me.
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Daniel 6:22
My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: for as much as before him innocence was found in me; and also before you, O king, have I done no hurt.
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Acts 2:46,47
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
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Acts 28:15
And from there, when the brothers heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
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Romans 14:6
He that regards the day, regards it to the Lord; and he that regards not the day, to the Lord he does not regard it. He that eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he that eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and gives God thanks.
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Colossians 1:3
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
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1 Timothy 1:12
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
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Our Attitude Toward his Sovereignty
... which is expressed in godly fear, implicit obedience, entire resignation, and deep
thankfulness and joy was supremely and perfectly exemplified by the Lord ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter ten our attitude toward.htm

The Time of Doubting and of Spiritual Darkness Constitutes
... are remains of deceitfulness in the best hearts; this was exemplified in David ... settled
inward peace, and live that life of praise and thankfulness which the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/x the time of doubting.htm

The Introduction to the Work, with Some Account of the Nature of ...
... tribulation, our honoring of God, the vigor of our love, thankfulness, and all ... Heavenly
contemplation will be exemplified, chap.16, and the whole work concluded ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter i the introduction to.htm

Opposition to Messiah Unreasonable
... by the history and character given of Him by the evangelists), exemplified by His ...
We are bound to acknowledge with thankfulness, the blessings of religious and ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxiii opposition to messiah.htm

Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for ...
... God expressed in the Gospel, first of all to manifest his thankfulness therefor;
toward ... awful the sin of ingratitude for these blessings, as exemplified in the ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty second sunday after trinity.htm

The Gospel Message, Good Tidings
... of mankind were not so strongly described and exemplified in the ... their future happiness,
should, instead of being received with thankfulness, generally excite ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxi the gospel message.htm

Paul Before Felix.
... it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness." What! ... He
exemplified the precept which he inculcated upon others, to be subject to the ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvii paul before felix.htm

A Practical Discourse on Some Principles of Hymn-Singing
... of raising EMOTIONS OF JOY in the mind: such JOY AND THANKFULNESS to God as ... definition
be taken widely, make a large and popular class, well exemplified by the ...
/.../a practical discourse on some.htm

Life in India.
... Was idol worship true or false?' I felt it a matter of thankfulness that I ... from that
temper and conduct which he himself so eminently exemplified; yet, he ...
/.../rhea/life of henry martyn missionary to india and persia/life in india.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... innocence; or, obedience and sufferings, and a high reward for these exemplified
in the ... out of faith and conscience of duty, in way of thankfulness for mercy ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

What does the Bible say about thankfulness/gratitude? | GotQuestions.org

Why doesn't the Lord's Prayer include thanksgiving? shouldn't all our prayers include expressions of thankfulness? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about ingratitude/unthankfulness? | GotQuestions.org

Thankfulness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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