“Praise the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” The psalms are full of thanksgiving, for creation, for rescue, for answered prayer and for God’s faithful love. Below are eight psalms of thanksgiving, each with its key verses in the Catholic Douay-Rheims Bible, a short explanation and a link to the full psalm where we have one, perfect for Thanksgiving Day, a family celebration, or daily prayer.
1. Psalm 136: his mercy endures for ever
Praise the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Praise ye the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Praise ye the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
The “Great Hallel,” with the refrain repeated in all twenty-six verses (Psalm 135 in the Douay-Rheims).
2. Psalm 100: enter his gates with thanksgiving
Go ye into his gates with praise, into his courts with hymns: and give glory to him. Praise ye his name:
Come into God’s presence with gratitude. Read the full Psalm 100.
3. Psalm 107: give thanks to the Lord
Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Thanksgiving for God’s rescue of travelers, prisoners, the sick and sailors in storms (Psalm 106 in the Douay-Rheims).
4. Psalm 116: what shall I render to the Lord?
What shall I render to the Lord, for all the things he hath rendered unto me?
I will take the chalice of salvation; and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
The question every grateful heart asks; Christians answer it in the Eucharist, which means “thanksgiving.” Read the full Psalm 116.
5. Psalm 92: it is good to give thanks
It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to thy name, O most High.
To shew forth thy mercy in the morning, and thy truth in the night:
The psalm “for the sabbath day”: thanks in the morning and at night (Psalm 91 in the Douay-Rheims).
6. Psalm 30: I will give thanks for ever
To the end that my glory may sing to thee, and I may not regret: O Lord my God, I will give praise to thee for ever.
Thanksgiving after healing and rescue. Read the full Psalm 30.
7. Psalm 9: with my whole heart
I will give praise to thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: I will relate all thy wonders.
Wholehearted thanks for God’s wonders.
8. Psalm 118: give thanks, for he is good
Give praise to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
The Easter psalm, which begins and ends with thanksgiving. Read the full Psalm 118.
Giving thanks as a Catholic
- The Mass is the great thanksgiving: “Eucharist” comes from the Greek word for thanksgiving. See the Eucharistic Prayer.
- Thank God every day: at meals, before sleep, and in the daily examen. See the daily examen.
- On Thanksgiving Day, pray a psalm together before the meal. See Thanksgiving prayers.
- Thank God in trials too: “In all things give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
A prayer of thanksgiving
Written for this page:
Lord, I give you thanks with my whole heart, for you are good and your mercy endures for ever.
Thank you for my life, my family, my faith, and all the gifts I take for granted.
What shall I give you in return? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon your name.
Let my whole life be a thanksgiving to you. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best psalm for thanksgiving?
Psalm 136 (“for his mercy endureth for ever”), Psalm 100 (“Enter his gates with thanksgiving”) and Psalm 107 are classic psalms of thanksgiving.
What psalm is good for Thanksgiving Day?
Psalm 100 and Psalm 136 are wonderful to pray before the Thanksgiving meal.
More prayers of thanksgiving
- Psalm 92 (It is good to give thanks)
- Psalm 126 (The Lord has done great things for us)
- Psalm 65 (the harvest psalm)
- Psalm 107 (He stilled the storm)
- Psalm 136 (His mercy endures for ever)
- Psalm 138 (In the sight of the angels)
- Catholic prayers of gratitude
- Thanksgiving prayers
- Psalms of praise
- Te Deum
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Psalms 135 (136), 99 (100), 106 (107), 115 (116), 91 (92), 29 (30), 9, 117 (118); 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayer was written for this page.