For many, the Thanksgiving seasons provides an opportunity to reflect on God’s Word and our need to express gratitude.
In the past five years, Scripture readers seem to prefer to spend more time in the Psalms during the last two weeks of November than any other book of the Bible, according to statistics from YouVersion’s popular Bible app.
Of the 10 most read verses around Thanksgiving from each of the past five years, 19 are from Psalms, four are in 1 Chronicles and Jeremiah, while Romans, 2 Corinthians, Proverbs, Hebrews, 1 John and James have two each. Additionally, 32 are Old Testament and 18 are New Testament references.
Nine verses or passages appeared in the top 10 at least twice since 2017. Here are the most popular verses among Bible app users during Thanksgiving. Each reference is from the Christian Standard Bible.
- Psalm 100:4-5
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.
- 1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.
- Numbers 6:24-26
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.
- Psalm 91:1-2
The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say concerning the Lord, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.
- 3 John 2
Dear friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and are in good health, just as your whole life is going well.
- 1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
- Isaiah 25:1
Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you. I will praise your name, for you have accomplished wonders,
plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.
- Psalm 63:3-4
My lips will glorify you because your faithful love is better than life. So I will bless you as long as I live;
at your name, I will lift up my hands.
- 1 John 4:18-19
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.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Aaron Earls and originally published by Lifeway research.