This lesson teaches children that God hears us when we are sad, even when we are far from home and things feel wrong. Children ages 5 to 11 can learn it in 20 to 30 minutes, using a simple story, a memory motion, and a few hands-on activities.
Big Idea
God is still with us when we are sad, and we can always tell Him how we feel. We can remember Him even when life is hard.
Memory Verse
Psalm 137:4
How can we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land?
(WEB)
Ask the children to put one hand over their heart and then lift both hands up like they are singing. Say the verse together slowly as they move, then try it again a little faster. The motion helps them remember that God is worth remembering wherever we are.
The Story: Psalm 137 for Kids
A long time ago, God’s people were taken far away from their home in Jerusalem. They were carried to a land called Babylon, where they did not feel safe or happy. They missed their city, their Temple, and their friends. Every day felt heavy and sad.
One day, the people sat down by the rivers of Babylon. They cried because they remembered Jerusalem. They were so sad that they hung their harps on the willow trees. They did not feel like playing music at all.
Some of the people who had taken them away came over and said, “Sing us one of your songs about Jerusalem!” The singers answered in their hearts, “How can we sing the songs of the LORD in a strange land?” They did not want to pretend to be happy when they were not.
The people still loved God and loved their home. They told God that they would never forget Jerusalem. They said that Jerusalem was more important to them than anything else. It was their deepest joy, and they kept it in their hearts even while far away.
This psalm is a prayer that is honest about hurt and anger. The people asked God to remember what the enemies had done. Even in their pain, they talked to God. They did not hide their feelings from Him.
Read It Together
Psalm 137:1-2
1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 On the willows in that land, we hung up our harps.
(WEB)
Point out that the people did not pretend everything was fine. They sat down and cried when they missed home. Tell the children that it is okay to be sad and to say so to God.
Psalm 137:5-6
5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill. 6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don’t remember you; if I don’t prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.
(WEB)
Show the children how the people promised to keep Jerusalem in their hearts. Explain that remembering God and the people we love can help us keep going when we feel far away.
Psalm 137:7
Remember, the LORD, against the children of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, “Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!”
(WEB)
Explain that the people asked God to remember what others had done to them. Help children see that we can bring our hard feelings to God and trust Him to act fairly, instead of taking revenge ourselves.
Talk About It
- What do you think the people felt when they sat by the rivers and cried?
- Why do you think the people hung their harps on the trees instead of playing them?
- What is something that makes you feel far away from home, and how can you talk to God about it?
- What did the people promise to remember, and why was it important to them?
- When you feel sad or angry, what is a good way to tell God how you feel?
Activity Ideas
Harp Drawing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple harp or a willow tree on the paper. Then have them write or draw one thing they miss or one thing they want to remember about God. Let them hold up their pictures and tell the group about them.
Musical Statues Game
Play some happy music from a phone or speaker. When the music stops, the children freeze, and you ask them to show a sad face or a quiet pose like the people by the river. When the music starts again, they can dance or clap. This helps children feel the difference between sadness and joy, and it reminds them that God is with them in both.
Take-Home Prayer Card
You will need index cards or strips of paper and a marker. Write “God is with me, even when I am far away” on each card and let the children decorate it. Encourage them to keep the card on their nightstand or in their school bag. When they feel sad or lonely, they can read it and talk to God.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 137 shows that honest lament is part of faithful prayer. The writers grieve, remember, and even ask God to act against their enemies. Scripture does not hide strong emotions, and God welcomes our honest words. The psalm also points toward God’s justice, which is His to carry out.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the harsh final verses. Do not present them as a model for how to treat others or as a call for revenge. Instead, focus on the parts about remembering God, being honest with Him, and trusting that He cares about our pain.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for being with us when we feel sad or far from home. We can tell You everything, even the hard feelings. Help us remember You every day and trust that You hear us. Amen.
