This lesson teaches children that they can always look to God for help, just like a servant watches his master’s hand for a signal. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
When we need help, we can keep our eyes on God and ask him to be kind to us, because he always listens and cares.
Memory Verse
Psalm 123:2
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress; so our eyes look to the LORD, our God, until he has mercy on us.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out in front of you, palms up, then slowly lift your eyes upward as you say the words together. Each time you repeat it, keep your hands open to show you are waiting on God.
The Story: Psalm 123 for Kids
Long ago, the people of Israel felt very small and sad. Some proud people made fun of them and said unkind things again and again. The people of Israel had been treated badly for a long time, and they were tired.
So they wrote a song and sang it to God. In the song, they said, “To you I lift up my eyes, you who sit in the heavens.” They were talking to God, who lives high above the world and sees everything. Looking up was their way of saying they trusted him.
The singer then thought about a servant. A servant watches his master’s hand closely, waiting for a sign of what to do next. A maid does the same thing with her mistress. They never look away, because they want to know how to help.
In the same way, the people said their eyes looked to the LORD, their God. They asked him to have mercy on them. Mercy means being kind when we do not have to be, and helping when we cannot help ourselves.
The song ends with the people feeling full of trouble. They said, “We have endured much contempt.” Their hearts were heavy from being scorned by people who were careless and proud. Still, they kept looking up, trusting that God would answer.
Read It Together
Psalm 123:1
To you I do lift up my eyes, you who sit in the heavens.
(WEB)
Point out the word “lift.” Ask the children to show with their hands how they would lift their eyes toward heaven, and explain that lifting our eyes means turning our hearts to God.
Psalm 123:3
Have mercy on us, the LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt.
(WEB)
Point out the repeated words “have mercy on us.” Explain that saying something twice shows how much the people really needed God’s kindness, and that children can ask God the same way.
Psalm 123:4
Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease, with the contempt of the proud.
(WEB)
Point out that the people felt filled up with scoffing and contempt. Talk gently about times children have felt teased or left out, and remind them that God sees those hurts too.
Talk About It
- Who can you think of who always watches to see if you need help, like a servant watching his master?
- What is one thing that makes you feel small or sad sometimes?
- How can you show God that you are looking to him for help?
- Why do you think God wants to hear us ask for mercy?
- What is a time when you felt better after you prayed?
Activity Ideas
Eyes Up Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a big pair of eyes on the paper, then draw a sky above them with a sun or a few stars. Have them write or draw one thing they want to ask God for help with inside the sky, so the picture reminds them where to look.
Servant and Master Game
You will need a small object such as a ball or a spoon. One child is the master and holds the object, while the others are servants who stand still and watch closely. The master makes a slow motion with the object, and the servants copy it with their eyes only, not their heads. Switch roles so every child has a turn being watched.
Take-Home Prayer Card
You will need an index card, a marker, and a rubber band. Have each child write the memory verse on one side and draw an open hand on the other. Encourage them to keep the card in a pocket or on the bedside table, and to look at the open hand each night as a reminder to ask God for kindness before bed.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this psalm shows a community that feels scorned and worn down, yet still turns to God with honest, patient trust. The image of servants watching their master’s hand reflects a humble dependence on God that does not demand quick answers but waits faithfully for his mercy.
With children, avoid suggesting that God will always remove every hurt or that prayer guarantees an immediate fix. Focus instead on the truth that God hears us, cares for us, and is kind to us even while we wait.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, we lift our eyes to you, because you sit high above us and you see everything. Help us to watch for your kindness, just as a servant watches the hand of his master. When we feel small or sad, be merciful to us and give us peace. Amen.
