Psalm 115 teaches children that the Lord is real, he is powerful, and he is the one we can trust, unlike idols that cannot see, hear, or help. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Our God is alive and He helps us, so we trust Him and not things that cannot help us.
Memory Verse
Psalm 115:9
Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
(WEB)
Put one hand on your heart and the other hand out in front of you, like a shield. Say the verse together while you hold your shield hands up, then say “trust” with a big nod each time it comes up.
The Story: Psalm 115 for Kids
A long time ago, the people of Israel sang a song to God. They wanted God to get the glory, not themselves. They sang, “Not to us, Lord, but to your name be the glory, because you are loving and true.” God’s people wanted everyone to know that He was the one who helped them.
Some people from other nations had heard about the God of Israel. They laughed and asked, “Where is their God now?” Israel’s singers knew the answer. Their God lives in the heavens, and He does whatever He pleases. He is not stuck in a box or a statue.
The other nations made idols out of silver and gold. These idols had mouths, but they could not talk. They had eyes, but they could not see. They had ears, but they could not hear. They had hands and feet, but they could not hold or walk. Those who trusted in these idols became as useless as the things they made.
But the people of Israel had a different plan. The song calls out to them and says, “Israel, trust in the Lord! He is your help and your shield.” It calls out to the priests too, the house of Aaron, and to everyone who fears the Lord. Each group was invited to trust Him, because He is the one who protects them.
The song ends with a promise. The Lord remembers His people, and He will bless them, both small and great. He made the heavens and the earth, and He gave the earth to the children of people. So the singers said they would bless the Lord, from now on and forever. Their final words were, “Praise the Lord!”
Read It Together
Psalm 115:4-5
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. 5 They have mouths, but they don’t speak. They have eyes, but they don’t see.
(WEB)
Point out how the idols have mouths, eyes, and ears but cannot use them. Ask the children to notice that these things were made by people, and that the things people make cannot do what a living God can do.
Psalm 115:12-13
12 The LORD remembers us. He will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel. He will bless the house of Aaron. 13 He will bless those who fear the LORD, both small and great.
(WEB)
Show the children that God remembers His people and promises to bless them, both the small and the great. Help them see that the blessing is for children and grown-ups alike.
Psalm 115:15-16
15 Blessed are you by the LORD, who made heaven and earth. 16 The heavens are the heavens of the LORD; but the earth has he given to the children of men.
(WEB)
Point out that God made heaven and earth and gave the earth to people to care for. Explain that this is a reason to thank Him, because everything good comes from Him.
Talk About It
- What are some things that people make, and why can’t those things help us the way God can?
- How did God show that He remembers the people who trust Him?
- What does it mean that God is our help and our shield?
- Why do you think the singers wanted God to get the glory instead of themselves?
- What is one way you can praise God this week?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Shield and a Silent Idol
You will need paper, crayons, and a pencil. Have each child draw a large shield on one half of the paper and write or draw the word “God” inside it. On the other half, have them draw a statue with a mouth, eyes, and ears, and cross it out with a big X. Talk about how the shield shows what helps us and the statue shows what cannot help.
Shield Stand Game
Clear a space in the room and have the children stand in a circle. Call out “Trust the Lord!” and everyone lifts their hands up like a shield. Then call out a made-up idol that cannot move, like “Silver statue!” and everyone freezes with arms at their sides. Keep it fun and quick for about ten minutes.
Take-Home Prayer Card
You will need an index card or a piece of cardstock, a marker, and some tape or a sticky note. Write “The Lord is my help and my shield” on the card and draw a simple shield beside it. Ask the child to put the card by their bed or on the fridge. Each night, they can read it aloud before bed as a reminder to trust God.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 115 is a poem about the difference between the living God and the man-made idols that people trust in. It reminds us that God is free to act as He pleases, and that everything we trust in besides Him will fail us. The psalm also calls every group of God’s people to trust Him together.
When teaching children, avoid overstating what the idols are. Children may not know much about idol worship, so keep the focus on the fact that God is alive and can help, while things made by hands cannot. Speak simply and kindly, and do not make other people or other cultures the villain of the lesson.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You that You are alive and that You can see, hear, and help us. We trust You as our shield and our help. Please remember us and bless us, big and small. We will praise You now and forever. Amen.
