3 Thanksgiving Psalms for a Day Full of Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving! 

As the smells of turkey and stuffing waft through homes across the United States, it’s the perfect time to thank God for his kindness and faithfulness to us. “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” (Ps 95:2)

Here at Faithlife, we’re grateful for you. Thank you for growing in the light of the Bible with us! May your day be happy and blessed.

Here are three short, sweet Psalms that bring God’s goodness to the forefront on this special day of gratitude:

• Psalm 30
• Psalm 34
• Psalm 138

The text below comes from the Lexham English Bible.

Psalm 30

I will exalt you, O Yahweh, because you have drawn me up, and have not made my enemies rejoice over me. O Yahweh, my God, I cried for help to you, and you healed me. O Yahweh, you have brought my life up from Sheol. You preserved me alive from among those going down to the pit. Sing praises to Yahweh, you his faithful ones, and give thanks ⌊to his holy fame⌋. For there is a moment in his anger; there is a lifetime in his favor. Weeping lodges for the evening, but in the morning comes rejoicing. But as for me, I had said in my prosperity, “I shall not be moved ever.” O Yahweh, by your favor you caused my strong mountain to stand. You hid your face. I was bewildered. To you, O Yahweh, I called, and to the Lord I pleaded for grace saying, “What gain is there in my ⌊death⌋, in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? “O Yahweh, hear and be gracious to me. O Yahweh, be my helper.” You have turned my wailing into my dancing. You have removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy so that ⌊I⌋ may sing praises to you and not be quiet. O Yahweh, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.¹

Psalm 34

I will bless Yahweh at all times; his praise shall be in my mouth continually. My soul makes its boast in Yahweh; let the humble hear and be glad. Magnify Yahweh with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought Yahweh and he answered me, and from all my terrors he delivered me. They looked to him and were radiant, and their faces shall not be ashamed. This poor man called and Yahweh heard, and saved him from all his troubles. The angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him, and he rescues them. Taste and see that Yahweh is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear Yahweh, you his saints, for there is no lack for those who fear him. The young lions are in want and suffer hunger, but those who seek Yahweh will not lack for any good thing. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of Yahweh. Who is the man who desires life, who loves many days in order to see good?  Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of Yahweh are toward the righteous, and his ears toward their cry for help. The face of Yahweh is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. They cry out and Yahweh hears and delivers them from all of their troubles. Yahweh is near to those who are heartbroken and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the distresses of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all. He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken. Evil will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will incur guilt. Yahweh redeems the life of his servants, and none who take refuge in him will incur guilt.²

Psalm 138

I give you thanks with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise. I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name, because of your loyal love and faithfulness, for you have magnified your word according to all your name. ⌊When⌋ I called and you answered me, you emboldened me in my soul with strength. All the kings of the earth will praise you, O Yahweh, when they have heard the words of your mouth, and they will sing of the ways of Yahweh, because Yahweh’s glory is great. Though Yahweh is high, yet he sees the lowly, but the proud he perceives at a distance. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me alive. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my enemies, and you save me with your right hand. Yahweh accomplishes things for my benefit. O Yahweh, your loyal love endures forever; do not abandon the works of your hands.²

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“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal 1:3) today and every day.

1. Harris, W. Hall, III, Elliot Ritzema, Rick Brannan, Douglas Mangum, John Dunham, Jeffrey A. Reimer, and Micah Wierenga, eds. 2012. The Lexham English Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
2. The Lexham English Bible.