Psalm 130 teaches children that God hears us when we call to him from hard places, and that he forgives us when we do wrong. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the verses, and the activity.
Big Idea
God hears us when we call to him, and he forgives us because he loves us. We can wait for him and trust him to help.
Memory Verse
Psalm 130:4
But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared.
(WEB)
Have the children stand up and hold their hands out in front of them, palms up, as if they are holding a gift. Then slowly bring their hands to their hearts while they say the verse together. Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Psalm 130 for Kids
Once, a man who wrote songs for God felt very sad and afraid. He felt like he had fallen into a deep, dark hole, and he could not climb out by himself. So he called out to God from the bottom of that hole. He said, “Lord, please hear my voice. Listen to me when I ask you for help.”
The man knew that he had done wrong things. He knew that nobody could be good enough to stand before God if God kept a list of every mistake. But he also knew something wonderful about God. God forgives. God does not hold our mistakes over us forever. Because of this, God is the one people respect and love.
So the man decided to wait for God. He waited the way a guard waits for the sun to come up in the morning. The guard does not give up just because the night is long. He knows the morning is coming, and he keeps watching for it. The man waited for God in that same way, sure that God would come.
Then the man turned to the people of Israel and spoke to them, too. He said, “Hope in the Lord! With God there is love that never lets go, and with him there is more than enough help to set us free.” He reminded everyone that God rescues his people from all their wrongdoing. Everyone who listened could go home knowing that God would not leave them in the dark.
Read It Together
Psalm 130:1-2
1 Out of the depths I have cried to you, the LORD. 2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my petitions.
(WEB)
Point out that the writer starts by calling to God from a hard place. Ask the children what it feels like to call for help when they are scared or sad. Show them that God listens to every call.
Psalm 130:3-4
3 If you, Yah, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared.
(WEB)
Explain that no one can be perfect, but God offers forgiveness. Help the children see that forgiveness is a gift from God, not something we earn. Let them say the word “forgiveness” together.
Psalm 130:7-8
7 Israel, hope in the LORD, for with the LORD there is loving kindness. With him is abundant redemption. 8 He will redeem Israel from all their sins.
(WEB)
Point to the words about hope and God’s love. Explain that God rescues his people from every wrong thing they do. Ask the children to name one thing God has rescued them from or helped them through.
Talk About It
- When you feel scared or sad, what can you say to God?
- Why do you think God wants to forgive us instead of keeping a list of our mistakes?
- What does it feel like to wait for something good, like the morning or a birthday?
- How can you show someone that you forgive them, just like God forgives us?
- Who is someone you can hope in when you need help?
Activity Ideas
Sunrise Drawing
You will need paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a dark night sky on one side of the paper and a bright sunrise on the other side. Talk about how the guard waits for the morning and how we can wait for God with hope. Let the children color their sunrise in bright yellows and oranges while they tell you one thing they are hoping God will do.
Hope and Wait Game
You will need a few blankets or pillows to make a pretend deep hole in the middle of the room. Let the children take turns being the person in the hole, calling out “Lord, hear me!” Then have the rest of the group wait quietly for a count of five before cheering “God hears you!” Play a few rounds so everyone gets a turn to call and to wait.
Forgiveness Jar Take-Home
You will need a small jar or cup, some paper strips, and a pen. Ask each child to write one thing they are sorry for on a strip, then fold it and put it in the jar. At home, they can read one strip each day and pray, thanking God for his forgiveness. Remind them that once God forgives, he does not keep bringing the mistake back up, so they can let the strip go and see the jar as a reminder of God’s love.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 130 is a prayer of someone in deep distress who turns to God, confesses that no one can stand before a holy God on their own merit, and then rests in God’s forgiveness and steadfast love. The waiting described is an active, hopeful waiting that shapes how we pray and live.
With children, avoid overstating the idea that God is a keeper of lists or that sin is only a matter of record. Keep the focus on God’s listening and his gift of forgiveness, rather than making children feel anxious about every mistake they make.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for hearing us when we call to you from hard places. Thank you for forgiving us and for loving us even when we get things wrong. Help us to wait for you with hope, knowing you will always help us. Amen.
