This lesson teaches children that when people are unkind to us, we can take our hurts honestly to God and trust him to do what is right. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
When people hurt us, we can tell God all about it, and we can trust him to be fair and kind to us.
Memory Verse
Psalm 109:26
Help me, the LORD, my God. Save me according to your loving kindness…
(WEB)
Have the children cup their hands together like they are asking for help, then lift them up toward the ceiling as they say the verse together. Each time they lift, they are sending their request up to God.
The Story: Psalm 109 for Kids
King David wrote a song to God when he was in trouble. People were telling lies about him and saying mean things. They were not being fair, and David had done nothing wrong to them. He had even been kind to these people, but they were unkind in return.
David felt very sad and weak. He had not eaten much, and his heart felt hurt inside. People who saw him would shake their heads and look away. It is hard to feel alone when others turn against you.
So David did not keep his feelings hidden. He talked to God about everything. He said, “Please help me, Lord my God. Save me because you are so kind.” David trusted that God could see what was happening and that God cares for people who are hurting.
David also asked God to be fair to those who were mean. He wanted God to do what is right. But he did not take revenge with his own hands. He handed the whole problem to God and believed God would make things right in his own way and time.
At the end of his song, David promised to thank God and praise him. He knew that God stands beside people who are poor and needy. David said he would rejoice, because God would help him. Even when his world felt dark, David knew God was with him.
Read It Together
Psalm 109:21
But deal with me, the LORD the Lord, for your name’s sake, because your loving kindness is good, deliver me…
(WEB)
Point out that David starts by asking God to help him “for your name’s sake.” Explain that this means David is trusting God’s good character, and that God’s love is good and dependable.
Psalm 109:22-23
22 For I am poor and needy. My heart is wounded within me. 23 I fade away like an evening shadow. I am shaken off like a locust.
(WEB)
Show the children how honest David is about feeling wounded and weak. Remind them that it is fine to tell God exactly how we feel, even when it is sad or scary.
Psalm 109:30-31
30 I will give great thanks to the LORD with my mouth. Yes, I will praise him among the multitude. 31 For he will stand at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who judge his soul.
(WEB)
Point out that David ends by promising to praise God, even while still in trouble. Explain that God helps the needy, and that we can thank him for his help before we see the answer.
Talk About It
- What is something that made you feel sad or hurt by someone else?
- How did David talk to God when he felt hurt?
- Why do you think David could tell God everything, even the hard parts?
- What do you think it means that God stands beside the poor and needy?
- How could you show God that you trust him when someone is unkind to you?
Activity Ideas
Prayer Feelings Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of a time they felt hurt, then draw a small arrow from the picture up toward a sun or cloud, which stands for God. Let them explain their drawing to you in a few words, and pray together about each one.
Shadow and Shelter Game
Clear some space in a room and call out “Shadow” or “Shelter.” When you say “Shadow,” children stretch long and sway like an evening shadow. When you say “Shelter,” they run to a chair or table and crouch under it, just as David ran to God for safety. Play a few rounds and talk about how God is our safe place.
Take-Home Prayer Jar
You will need a clean jar or cup and some small slips of paper. Ask children to write or draw one hurt or worry on a slip, fold it, and put it in the jar. Encourage them to take the jar home and pray over one slip each evening, reminding themselves that they can give their hurts to God.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this psalm shows that honest prayer includes pain, anger, and even requests for justice, and that God welcomes all of it. David hands his enemies to God rather than taking revenge himself, and he ends in praise. Many Christians find the harsh requests in verses 6 to 20 uncomfortable, so it helps to read them in the light of Jesus’s call to love enemies, and to recognize that the psalm is a model of bringing raw feelings to God.
With children, avoid suggesting that God will punish every person who is unkind, or that bad things happen to people only because they are bad. Keep the focus on trusting God to be fair and on the comfort of his presence with those who are hurting.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that we can tell you everything, even when we feel hurt or sad. Help us to trust you to be fair and kind, and to stay close to you when others are unkind. Thank you that you are our helper and our safe place. Amen.
