How do you begin an article like this? I believe you do it by making a definitive, declarative statement. As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we have a lot to be thankful for. As the old song used to say, count your blessings, name them one by one. That is the right place to begin when writing about beautiful hymns to sing this thanksgiving. Aren’t you glad that for us as believers, we celebrate thanksgiving all year round because every day is a day to give God thanks?
One thing I know is that thankful people sing. When there is joy in your heart and you are enraptured with a spirit of thankfulness, you will sing. Today I want to help you give thanks to the Lord in song.
This is a moment in our nation where we stop to say thanks. I am going to share with you 15 beautiful hymns to sing this Thanksgiving. I will give the disclaimer now, my list might be just a little bit biased because these are some of my favorite songs, but I believe they will be a blessing to you anyway.
These are not ranked in any order, and contain both classic and contemporary songs. Also, because I appreciate all types of music, I decided to include different styles because thanksgiving hymns comes from all different genres of music. I have also included links to the songs, and where possible, tried to give you the original versions recorded by the artist who wrote it. I pray this is a blessing to you and reminds you to be thankful every day for all God has done for you.
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15 Beautiful Hymns to Sing This Thanksgiving
1. He Has Made Me Glad
It seems appropriate to begin with a song that reminds you that God has made you glad. One of the great benefits of our salvation is that God fills our heart with joy. He takes all our guilt, shame, and weeping, and replaces it with his joy. So let’s be glad today.
2. My Tribute
In 1972, the late gospel pioneer Andre Crouch wrote this song titled “My Tribute,” which was his way of expressing his gratitude for all God has done in his life (by the way, this is something we should all relate to.) While you may not immediately recognize it by the title, we more commonly think of this song as “To God Be The Glory.” Either way, allow the message of this song to spur your heart to that thankful place today.
3. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
I don’t know if it is possible to give God thanks without mentioning his faithfulness. For me, this is one of God’s most endearing qualities. Especially when I consider the many times in my life where I have not been faithful to him. He has not stopped being faithful and he never will. Sing the song of his faithfulness loud and strong, because this is one quality that sets God apart from everyone else.
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4. How Great Thou Art
This classic hymn really positions your heart to focus on our wonderful God. The chorus of this song says it all.
“Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art”
These are some of the best words you could say this Thanksgiving, or any day for that matter.
5. In Everything Give Him Thanks
This song was written by Lanny Wolfe and one of the first times I heard it was when the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sang it. This song captures the heart of what Thanksgiving is all about.
“In everything give Him thanks, give Him thanks
In everything give Him thanks
In the good times praise His Name
In the bad times do the same
In everything give the King of Kings all the thanks.”
6. Worthy Is the Lamb
This song has been covered by many artists and sung in churches all around the world. This was written and recorded by Darlene Zschech. What I love about this song is we are singing about the cross and what the Lamb of God did for us. If this doesn’t make you thankful, then there is nothing that will.
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7. Give Thanks
We often credit this song to Don Moen, but it was actually written by Henry Smith. Here is a quote from Songfacts.com which gives you the history of this song.
“This worship song was written in 1978 by Henry Smith. The young seminary graduate penned it during a difficult time in his life when he was struggling to find work and coming to terms with a degenerative eye condition that would eventually leave him legally blind. Smith's inspiration was the scripture, ‘For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." Finding hope in 2 Corinthians 8 v 9's description of God becoming human to save man, he penned this simple song of trust and giving thanks.”
8. Living Hope
This is a modern hymn by Phil Wickham. This song reminds us that our hope in Jesus Christ is not dead but alive. Because Jesus lives, we will live also. Sin and death no longer have a grip on our lives because of our risen savior. This should cause gratitude and thanksgiving to flow out of your heart.
9. Grace Greater Than All My Sin/Amazing Grace
Just like you cannot think about thanksgiving without remembering God’s faithfulness, I believe his grace is right there as well. If it were not for his grace, there would be no salvation. Let’s celebrate his grace, because it is by grace we are all saved.
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10. Total Praise
This song was written by Richard Smallwood and was originally recorded in 1996. This has become a classic gospel anthem that has been covered by just about everyone. If there was a gospel song hall of fame, this song would be in it. Based on Psalm 121, it reminds you of where your help comes from.
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth”
(Psalm 121:1-2, NKJV)
11. O For a Thousand Tongues
When you think of this classic hymn, it reflects a thankful mindset. One tongue isn’t enough to sing the praises of our God and all he has done for us.
“O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace.”
12. O Praise the Name
This song reminds me of now and then. What I mean by that is we can sing his praises in expressions of thanksgiving in this life, but we will also one day get to sing those praises around his throne.
“O praise the Name of the Lord our God
O praise His Name forevermore
For endless days we will sing Your praise
Oh Lord, oh Lord our God.”
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13. 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
This is another song where the title says it all. How many reasons can you find to be thankful and offer praise to God? I know the song mentions 10,000, but that should just be the beginning.
14. Bless the Lord
This is another song that encourages us to bless the Lord. This song is based on Psalm 103 and there is one thing this Psalm reminds us to do.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits”
(Psalm 103:2, NKJV).
When you think about it, isn’t this what Thanksgiving is all about anyway?
15. Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow – The Doxology
I felt to close an article on beautiful hymns to sing this Thanksgiving it is appropriate to end with a declaration and this is what this song does.
“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!”
As you listen and sing these songs, I pray you would have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember to not just give thanks this one day, but sing of God’s wonder, his blessings, and his goodness every day.
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