Many look to Bible verses, particularly in Psalms, to help them express their gratitude and thankfulness around Thanksgiving.
By Aaron Earls
As people contemplate what makes them thankful this time of the year, many look to the Bible, particularly Psalms, to help them express their gratitude.
Among U.S. Protestants, Thanksgiving (14%) is their favorite holiday to celebrate, behind only Christmas (63%), according to a Lifeway Research study. Previously, Lifeway Research found more than 2 in 3 Americans say they typically give thanks to God at Thanksgiving.
If that thankfulness draws them to Scripture, many seem to be drawn to Psalms, according to analysis from YouVersion’s Bible app.
A verse from Psalms appears among the most popular verses 13 times over the past five years. The most popular verse in three of the past five years has been from Psalms.
Other favorite books include Numbers (4 verses among the most read), 1 John (4), 1 Chronicles (3), and James (3). Proverbs, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Hebrews, and 3 John each appear twice on the top 10 lists since 2019.
Of each of the unique verses to make the lists during the past five years, 26 are Old Testament and 21 are New Testament verses. The most popular passage, Numbers 6:24-26, is the only one to appear in four of the five years. 1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 9:1-2, and 1 John 4:18-19 each made the top 10 in three years.
Eleven Bible verses appeared on the list of most popular verses at Thanksgiving at least twice during the past five years.
1. Numbers 6:24-26 (CSB)
May the Lord bless you and protect you;
may the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
may the Lord look with favor on you
and give you peace.
2. 1 Chronicles 16:34 (CSB)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his faithful love endures forever.
3. Psalm 100:4-5 (CSB)
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is good, and his faithful love endures forever;
his faithfulness, through all generations.
4. James 1:17 (CSB)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
5. Psalm 23:6 (CSB)
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
as long as I live.
6. Psalm 9:1-2 (CSB)
I will thank the Lord with all my heart;
I will declare all your wondrous works.
I will rejoice and boast about you;
I will sing about your name, Most High.
7. Hebrews 11:1 (CSB)
Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.
8. Psalm 107:1 (CSB)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his faithful love endures forever.
9. 3 John 1:2 (CSB)
Dear friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and are in good health, just as your whole life is going well.
10. 1 John 4:18-19 (CSB)
There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. We love because he first loved us.
11. Psalm 119:2 (CSB)
Happy are those who keep his decrees
and seek him with all their heart.
For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.
Aaron Earls
Aaron is the senior writer at Lifeway Research.
