In this lesson, children learn that Psalm 122 is a happy song about going to God’s house with friends and family, and that we should pray for peace. This lesson suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
We are glad to go to church with our family and friends, and we can pray for peace in our homes, our town, and our world because God loves us.
Memory Verse
Psalm 122:1
I was glad when they said to me, “Let’s go to the LORD’s house!”
(WEB)
Cup your hands together like you are holding a bowl, then lift them up and say the words with a big smile. Ask the children to show you a happy face when they say “glad.”
The Story: Psalm 122 for Kids
Long ago, a king named David wrote a happy song. The people of Israel loved to travel to Jerusalem, the city where God’s house stood. Each year, families from many tribes walked up the hills together to worship the LORD. Think of a big family trip to a special place with everyone you love.
One day, a man in the crowd said to his friend, “Let’s go to the LORD’s house!” His friend was glad to hear it. The writer of the song remembered that moment and said he was glad too. Their feet stood at the gates of Jerusalem, and the city was strong and close together, like a town where every house sits next to the others.
The people came to give thanks to the LORD’s name. The song tells us that the thrones of King David’s family stood there too, showing that the king helped people be fair and wise. Everyone who came could see that God’s people were a family who cared for one another.
Then the writer gave a special instruction. He said, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” He wanted people to ask God to bring calm and safety to their city. He also prayed that everyone who loved the city would do well and be happy.
The writer said he would speak kind words to his brothers and friends. He told them, “Peace be within you.” He wanted good things for his family and friends, and he promised to look for what was good for God’s house. Kind words and prayers help everyone feel safe together.
Read It Together
Psalm 122:2
Our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem…
(WEB)
Point out that the writer says his feet are standing inside the city gates. Ask the children to stand up and pretend to stand at a gate, then talk about how it feels to arrive at a place you have been waiting to see.
Psalm 122:6-7
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper. 7 Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.
(WEB)
Show the children that the writer asks God for peace inside the walls and the palaces. Explain that peace means calm, safety, and kind hearts, and ask them where they could pray for peace this week.
Psalm 122:8-9
8 For my brothers’ and companions’ sakes, I will now say, “Peace be within you.” 9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.
(WEB)
Point out that the writer wants good things for his brothers, his friends, and the house of the LORD. Encourage the children to think of one friend or family member they could pray for by name.
Talk About It
- How did the writer feel when his friends said, “Let’s go to God’s house”?
- What does it feel like to go somewhere special with the people you love?
- Why do you think God’s people wanted to give thanks to Him together?
- What is one thing you could pray for to help your town or city feel peaceful?
- How can you say kind words to your brothers, sisters, or friends this week?
Activity Ideas
Draw Your Church Family Picture
You will need paper, crayons, and markers. Ask each child to draw a picture of their church, their home, or a place where their family gathers. Let them add the people they love standing together at a gate or door. Talk about who they drew and why they are glad to be with those people.
Walk to the Gate Game
Set two chairs at one end of the room to be the gate of the city. Ask the children to walk slowly from the other end while singing or saying “I was glad when they said, let’s go to God’s house.” When they reach the chairs, have them stop and say, “Our feet are standing within your gates.” Repeat the walk a few times and let each child take a turn leading.
Peace Prayer Card at Home
You will need a index card, a pencil, and a pretty pen or crayon. Help the child write or draw one person, place, or situation they want to pray for, such as a neighbor, the school, or a family friend. Tuck the card by the bed or on the kitchen table, and pray for that peace together each evening this week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 122 expresses joy in worship, gratitude for the place where God’s people gather, and a commitment to seek peace and good for others. The psalm is one of the “songs of ascent,” traditionally sung by pilgrims walking up to Jerusalem for the great feasts, and it ties together the house of God, the family of Israel, and the throne of David.
Avoid suggesting to children that God only answers prayers for peace when we say the right words or that a city will always be calm if we pray hard enough. Keep the focus on joy, togetherness, and loving kindness, and let children know that God’s faithfulness is steady even when life is hard.
A Prayer to Close
Father, thank You for making us glad to be together with our family and friends. Help us to pray for peace in our homes, our town, and our world, and to speak kind words to the people around us. Thank You for loving us and being with us always. Amen.
