Bible Verses for Christmas Songs

Are you looking for the Bible verses behind these Christmas songs? Just click on the links to read the lyrics and the Bible verse that correspond with them.

• Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
• Glory To God On High
• Handel's Messiah
• O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
• Welcome To Our World
• While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks By Night

Bible Verses for Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

I love Christmas carols. I especially love ones that focus on themes that are in the Bible.  This Christmas carol is packed full of theological concepts, which isn't surprising since it was written by Charles Wesley.  It also focuses on the theme that I have been studying this Christmas season: Why Jesus was born.  If you want to delve deeper into some verses about why Jesus is born, you can check out my printable activity Why Jesus Was Born.

Here is a great version by Seacoast Worship:

Or from Meredith Andrews:

Here is Chris Tomlin's a capella worship version:

Or if you are used to hearing it with the tune Stuttgart instead of Hyfrydol:

I especially love this visual version, that shows how Jesus was being looked forward to throughout the story of the Bible.

No matter which version you like best, this Christmas carol is definitely a blessing.

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

by Charles Wesley, 1744

Verse 1:
Come, Thou long expected Jesus

Luke 2:38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,

Hebrews 2:14-15 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

Let us find our rest in Thee.

Hebrews 4:3,10 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, �As I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest,� although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.... For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.

Israel's strength and consolation,

Speaking of Simeon who was watching for the Messiah, in Luke 2:25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Joel 3:16 (KJV) The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Hope of all the earth Thou art;

Jeremiah 14:8 �O Hope of Israel, its Savior in time of distress, why are You like a stranger in the land or like a traveler who has pitched his tent for the night?"

Matthew 1218-21 �Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen; My Beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased; I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. �He will not quarrel, nor cry out; nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A battered reed He will not break off, and A smoldering wick He will not put out, until He leads justice to victory. And in His name the Gentiles will hope.�

Dear desire of every nation,

Haggai 2:7 (KJV) And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.

Joy of every longing heart.

1 Peter 1:8-9 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Verse 2:
Born Thy people to deliver,

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Born a child and yet a King,

Ptophesying about Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

John 18:37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, �So You are a king?� Jesus answered, �You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.�

Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

1 John 4:9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, �The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.�

By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;

Jeremiah 31:33 �But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,� declares the Lord, �I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Ephesians 2:4-7 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Bible Verses for O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is an advent song that has been around for a long time. It is based on the O Antiphons that go back to at least the eighth century. The later version, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, is believed to date back to the twelfth century, though it was published in 1710 in Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum in Latin. Additional stanzas (Wisdom and Desire of Nations) were added in 1878. 

The major English translations were written by John Mason Neale in 1851 and later revised in 1861. The revision changed "Draw nigh, draw nigh, Emmanuel" to "O come, O come, Emmanuel." In 1906, Thomas Alexander Lacey also translated the text. The additional verses were translated by Henry Sloane Coffin in 1916.

This carol is undoubtedly based on Scripture passages.  It looks at many prophetic passages about the first coming of Jesus, born in Bethlehem.  As an advent song, it looks forward to Jesus' first arrival.  Although that event has already passed, we now both rejoice over the work Jesus did in His first coming and look forward to the final fulfillment in His second coming.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Verse 1:
O come, O come, Emmanuel,

Prophesying about Jesus in Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

An angel told Joseph in Matthew 1:23 �Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear A Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,� which translated means, �God with us.� 

And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.

Speaking of Israel in the Millenium in Isaiah 35:10 And the ransomed of the Lord will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Luke 2:10-12 But the angel said to them, �Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.�

Verse 2:

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Prophesying about Jesus, in Isaiah 11:1-2 Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

Thine own from Satan's tyranny;

Acts 10:38 You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o'er the grave.

I Corinthians 15:54-57 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, �Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?� The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 2:14-15 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Verse 3:
O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer

Zacharias prophesying about John the Baptist leading the way for Jesus, in Luke 1:76-79 �And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.�

Balaam prophesied in Numbers 24:17 �I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, a scepter shall rise from Israel, and shall crush through the forehead of Moab, znd tear down all the sons of Sheth."

Revelation 22:16 �I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.�

Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Isaiah 9:2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Verse 4:
O come, Thou Key of David, come

Speaking of Jesus in Revelation 3:7 �And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:"

And open wide our heavenly home.
Make safe the way that leads on high
And close the path to misery.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, �I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

Verse 5:
Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,

1 Corinthians 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God,

Who ordered all things far and nigh; 

Jeremiah 51:15 It is He who made the earth by His power, who established the world by His wisdom, and by His understanding He stretched out the heavens.

To us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Verse 6:
Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind

Haggai 2:7 (KJV) And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.

All peoples in one heart and mind; 

Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease,
Fill all the world with heaven's peace. 

Ephesians 2:14-16 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, �Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.�

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Hymns and Songs of Thanksgiving

For my #31DaysOfThanksgiving I have had biweekly study of hymns and songs of thanksgiving.  Here is a listing of all the songs with links to the studies.

• A Thousand, A Thousand Thanksgivings
• All Creatures of Our God and King
• Best Gift of Love Thou Hast Bestow'd
• Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
• For The Beauty of the Earth
• Forever
• Give Thanks
• My Tribute by Andrae Crouch
• Now Thank We All Our God
• Sing To The Lord Of Harvest
• Thank God For Something

Bible Verses for Sing to the Lord of Harvest

This is another song of Thanksgiving that I was not familiar with, but thankful that someone shared it with me.  There are many verses in the Bible about how God has or will bless individuals and Israel.  He blesses us as well.  In James 1:17, we see that all good gifts are from God.  All of his blessings, both physical and spiritual, are to cause us to "overflow through many thanksgivings to God."

2 Corinthians 9:10-12 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 

Sing to the Lord of Harvest

By: John S. B. Monsell

Verse 1:
Sing to the Lord of harvest,
Sing songs of love and praise;

Exodus 23:16 Also you shall observe the Feast of the Harvest of the first fruits of your labors from what you sow in the field; also the Feast of the Ingathering at the end of the year when you gather in the fruit of your labors from the field.

Luke 10:2 And He was saying to them, �The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

With joyful hearts and voices
Your alleluias raise.
By him the rolling seasons
In fruitful order move;

God told Noah in Genesis 8:22 �While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.�

Psalm 74:17 You have established all the boundaries of the earth; You have made summer and winter.

Sing to the Lord of harvest
A joyous song of love.

Psalm 33:3 Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy

Verse 2:
God makes the clouds rain goodness,
The deserts bloom and spring,

Psalm 147:7-8 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; Sing praises to our God on the lyre, who covers the heavens with clouds, who provides rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the mountains.

Isaiah 35:1 The wilderness and the desert will be glad, and the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; Like the crocus it will blossom profusely and rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.

The hills leap up in gladness,
The valleys laugh and sing.

Isaiah 55:12 �For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

Psalm 65:12-13 The pastures of the wilderness drip, and the hills gird themselves with rejoicing. The meadows are clothed with flocks and the valleys are covered with grain; They shout for joy, yes, they sing.

God fills them with his fullness,
All thing with large increase;

Psalm 107:9 For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.

Psalm 145:14-16 The Lord sustains all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

He crowns the year with blessing,
With plenty and with peace.

Psalm 65:11 You have crowned the year with Your bounty, and Your paths drip with fatness.

Verse 3:
Bring to this sacred altar
The gifts his goodness gave,

Hebrews 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

James 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 

The golden sheaves of harvest,
The souls Christ died to save.

Matthew 9:36-38 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, �The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.�

Your hearts lay down before him
When at his feet you fall,

Speaking of the ten lepers who were healed in Luke 17:15-16 Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.

And with your lives adore him
Who gave his life for all.

Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Bible Verses for A Thousand, A Thousand Thanksgivings

I was not familiar with this song until a friend introduced me to it last Thanksgiving.  I loved it instantly.  This song is another like Best Gift of All Thou Hast Bestow'd that you can't hear without causing gratitude to spring up in your heart.  However, this hymn focuses exclusively on thanksgiving for Christ's death for us. 

If you are not familiar with the tune, you can find it here. 

 

A Thousand, A Thousand Thanksgivings

by Ernst C. Homburg; Translated Mrs Frances Bevan

Verse 1:
Thou Life of my life, blessed Jesus,
Thou death of the death that was mine,

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

For me was Thy cross and Thine anguish,
Thy love and Thy sorrow divine;

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Thou suffered the cross and the torment,
That I might forever go free -

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

A thousand, a thousand thanksgivings,
I bring, blessed Savior, to Thee!

Verse 2:
For me Thou hast borne the reproaches,
The mockery, hate and disdain;

Speaking prophetically of Jesus in Psalm 22:6 But I am a worm and not a man, a reproach of men and despised by the people.

Luke 23:36-37 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, and saying, �If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!�

The blows and the spittings of sinners,
The scourging, the shame and the pain;

Matthew 26:67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him,

Matthew 27:26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. 

To save me from bondage and judgment,
Thou gladly hast suffered for me -

Romans 6:5-7 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

A thousand, a thousand thanksgivings,
I bring, blessed Savior, to Thee!

Verse 3:
O Lord, from my heart I do thank Thee
For all Thou hast borne in my room,

About Jesus in 1 Peter 2:24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

Thine agony, dying, unsolaced,
Alone in the darkness of doom,

When Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane in Luke 22:44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.

Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

That I, in the glory of heaven,
Forever and ever might be -

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

Revelation 22:3-5 There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. 

A thousand, a thousand thanksgivings,
I bring, blessed Savior, to Thee!

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Bible Verses for Best Gift of All Thou Hast Bestowed

Today's hymn of Thanksgiving is relatively unknown, but I just love its content.  Each verse focuses on a different thing for which we should thank God. If you aren't feeling particularly grateful, you can reflect on this hymn and the thanksgiving will overflow. 

As an obscure hymn, I knew I wouldn't find a video of it, but here is a video of the tune by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina that is used for this song. The music can be found at Hymnary.org.

Best Gift of All Thou Hast Bestowed

by Samuel Ridout

Verse 1:
Best gift of all Thou hast bestow'd,
The precious, priceless blood that flow'd

Jesus said in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

1 Peter 1:18-19 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

When Jesus bore our sins' great load, -
For this we thank Thee!

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Verse 2:
And then that wondrous love of Thine
Which made us heirs of wealth divine,

Titus 3:7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

And us to Thee as sons did join, -
For this we thank Thee!

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Verse 3:
For sweetest fellowship on earth
With other sons of heav'nly birth,

2 Thessalonians 1:3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;

In greater joy than this world's mirth, -
For this we thank Thee!

Romans 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

2 Corinthians 7:3 I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together.

Verse 4:
For patient grace that guides our way,
While pilgrims in this world we stay,

Psalm 73:23-24 Nevertheless I am continually with You; you have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory.

Hebrews 11:13-16 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. 

In fire by night, in cloud by day, -
For this we thank Thee!

Speaking of God in Nehemiah 9:19 You, in Your great compassion, did not forsake them in the wilderness; the pillar of cloud did not leave them by day, to guide them on their way, nor the pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they were to go.

Verse 5:
For many mansions in Thy home,
Where we one day with Christ shall come,

Jesus said in John 14:2-3 In My Father�s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

And never, never from Thee roam, -
For this we thank Thee!

1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

Verse 6:
For sickness, sadness, pain, and loss,
For fellowship with Jesus' Cross

That turns this world's gold in dross, -
For this we thank Thee!

Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ�s afflictions. 

Verse 7:
For loving faithfulness and grace
That cast us down upon our face,

James 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

And make the flesh take its own place, -
For this we thank Thee!

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Verse 8:
In all our joy and all our grief,
For chast'ning sore, or sweet relief,

1 Thessalonians 5:17 in everything give thanks; for this is God�s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:5-6, 11 And you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, �My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.�... All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

For lengthen'd days, or waiting brief, -
For this we thank Thee!

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Verse 9:
And when our time on earth is o'er,
When in Thy presence we adore,

2 Corinthians 5;8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

O then, for all that's gone before,
We e'er shall thank thee!

Psalm 139:14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.

Isaiah 12:4 And in that day you will say, �Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His name is exalted.�

Revelation 11:15-17 Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, �The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.� And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying,�We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign."

Bible Verses for Now Thank We All Our God

No list of songs of thanksgiving would be complete without Now Thank We All Our God.  It is triumphant in our thanksgiving to the God who has blessed us.    Below is a classical rendition of the tune (arranged by John Rutter).

For those looking for something more contemporary, here are a few very different versions.

First, one by Garrison Keillor and Heather Masse on Prairie Home Companion.

Next, a contemporary choral version.

Last, a contemporary acoustic version.

Now Thank We All Our God

by Martin Rinckart (1636)

translated by Catherine Winkworth

Verse 1:
Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices,

Psalm 27:8 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him.

Who wondrous things has done,
In whom his world rejoices;

Psalm 40:5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

Who from our mothers' arms

Has blessed us on our way

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.

James 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

Jesus said in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

Verse 2:
O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,

James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,

Paul and Barnabas said in Acts 14:17 "and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness."

Jesus said in John 16:33 (KJV) "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 

To keep us in his grace,
And guide us when perplexed,

Ephesians 2:7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 31:3 For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name�s sake You will lead me and guide me.

And free us from all ills
Of this world in the next.

Revelation 21:1-5 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, �Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.�

Verse 3:
All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,

Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving.

To Christ, and Spirit, too,
Our help in highest heaven,

Romans 8:26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

Romans 8:34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.  

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. 

The one eternal God,
Whom heaven and earth adore;

Psalm 117:2 For His lovingkindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!

For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.

Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. �I am the Alpha and the Omega,� says the Lord God, �who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.�

Bible Verses for My Tribute

This song takes me back to my childhood of listening to Christian music and few songs offer more power thanks to the Lord for all He has done for us.

My Tribute

by Andra� Crouch

How can I say thanks for the things
You have done for me?
Things so undeserved yet you gave
To prove your love for me.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude.
All that I am, and ever hope to be
I owe it all to thee.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 13:7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.  

To God be the glory, to God be the glory,
To God be the glory for the things he has done.

Philippians 4:20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

With his blood, he has saved me.

Revelation 1:4-6 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood� and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father�to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

With his power, he has raised me.

1 Corinthians 6:14 Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power.

To God be the glory for the things he has done.

1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Just let me live my life and
Let it be pleasing Lord to thee

2 Corinthians 5:9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.

And if I gain any praise, let it go to Calvary.

Psalm 115:1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.

With his blood, he has saved me.

Ephesians 1:7-8a In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.

With his power, he has raised me.

Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

To God be the glory for the things he has done.

Acts 4:21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;

Bible Verses for All Creatures of Our God and King

All Creatures of Our God and King is an English translation of a medieval poem.  The original poem Canticle of the Sun by Francis of Assisi was written in Latin around 1225.  It was translated by William H. Draper and first published in 1919.  

This beautifully worded hymn poetically describes all of Creation praising God.  I'm not sure why this song makes me think of Thanksgiving, but I'm not alone in labeling it so.  I imagine it is the image of creation praising Him during this season when nature is so strongly the focus with the harvesting of crops and the changing colors of leaves.  And for those who might not know, Alleluia (or Hallelujah) means "Praise the Lord"

.

Let's bring our thanks to God for all He has created as we join with all of Creation in praising our Creator and Redeemer.

All Creatures of Our God and King

by Francis of Assisi, circa 1225

translated by William H. Draper

Verse 1:
All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Psalm 103:22 Bless the Lord, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion; Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 19:1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. 

Thou burning sun with golden beam,
thou silver moon with softer gleam,
O praise Him, O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Psalm 148:1-6  Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! Praise Him, highest heavens, and the waters that are above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created. He has also established them forever and ever; He has made a decree which will not pass away. 

Verse 2:
Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
ye clouds that sail in heav'n along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!

Psalm 148:7-8 Praise the Lord from the earth, sea monsters and all deeps; Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;

Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
ye lights of ev'ning find a voice!
O praise Him, O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Psalm 148:3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light!

Verse 3:
And all ye men of tender heart,
forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye! Alleluia!

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
praise God and on Him cast your care!
O praise Him, O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Verse 4:
Let all things their Creator bless
and worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!

Psalm 145:10 All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord, and Your godly ones shall bless You.

Psalm 69:34 Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them.

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit*, Three in One:
O praise Him, O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

About Jesus in Revelation 5:12 saying with a loud voice, �Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.�

____________________________________________________________

*While the Holy Spirit is God, nowhere in Scripture does it tell us to praise or worship Him.  The Holy Spirit's function is to glorify Christ (as Christ's role is to reveal the Father and carry out His plans).  

Jesus said in John 16:13-14 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.

It is not a question or the Holy Spirit's worthiness, but rather what we are instructed to do.  While we are not instructed to praise Him, we are instructed to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18), to follow His leading (ex. Acts 11:12), not to quench Him (1 Thess. 5:19), and not to grieve Him (Eph. 4:30).