This lesson teaches children that everything that has breath can praise God, and that we can praise him with our voices, our bodies, and our favorite instruments. It suits children aged about 5 to 11 and takes 20 to 30 minutes, including a short activity.
Big Idea
God is worthy of praise, and every one of us can praise him in our own way, whether we sing, clap, dance, or just breathe.
Memory Verse
Psalm 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise Yah! Praise Yah!
(WEB)
Teach the children to take a big breath in and let it out slowly while raising both arms up high. Say the last part together, “Praise the Lord!”, and have them wave their hands as they say it. Repeat it three times so the motion sticks.
The Story: Psalm 150 for Kids
Long ago, a king named David wrote a happy song to God. He wrote it to end a whole book of songs, and he wanted it to be the loudest and happiest one of all. David wanted everyone to join in and praise God with all their hearts.
In the song, David started in God’s house, the place where people gathered to worship. Then he pointed up to the sky and said praise God for his mighty works. He said, in his own words, “Praise him for everything he has done, because he is so great.”
Next, David named the instruments people played. There were trumpets that made a bright, bold sound, and harps and lyres that made soft, sweet music. There were tambourines that jingled, and people danced to the beat. There were flutes and stringed instruments, and cymbals that clanged loudly.
David did not want anyone to sit quietly in the back. He wanted everyone to join in. So he ended the song with a happy call: anything that breathes should praise the Lord. That means people, animals, and even the little bird singing outside the window.
Read It Together
Psalm 150:1
Praise Yah! Praise God in his sanctuary! Praise him in his heavens for his acts of power!
(WEB)
Point out the two places where people praise God: his sanctuary on earth and his heavens above. Ask the children where they think they could praise God today, at church, at home, or outside. Let them name a place of their own.
Psalm 150:3-5
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet! Praise him with harp and lyre! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flute! 5 Praise him with loud cymbals! Praise him with resounding cymbals!
(WEB)
Show the children the many instruments listed here, such as trumpet, harp, tambourine, flute, and cymbals. Ask them to make a sound for each one with their voice or their hands. Explain that God likes every kind of music, from loud to soft.
Psalm 150:2
Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him according to his excellent greatness!
(WEB)
Point out that we praise God for his mighty acts and for his great greatness. Ask the children to name one thing God has done that makes them want to say thank you. Remind them that God’s greatness is bigger than anything they can imagine.
Talk About It
- What is your favorite instrument, and how would you use it to praise God?
- Where is a place you have seen people praise God, and what did it look like?
- What is one thing God made that you think should join in the praise?
- How does it feel to sing or clap for someone you love?
- What is one thing God did for you this week that you can thank him for?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Instrument Craft
You will need paper plates, markers, dried beans or rice, tape, and craft sticks. Have each child decorate a paper plate, then add a few beans inside and tape the plate closed to make a shaker. Tape a craft stick to the back as a handle. Let the children shake their instruments while they sing the memory verse.
Praise Parade Game
Clear a space in the room and line the children up. Call out an action, such as clap, stomp, jump, or wave, and have everyone do it while you say “Praise the Lord!” Switch actions every few seconds and let a child lead the next one. End the game by having everyone freeze and say “Amen” together.
Take-Home Praise Jar
You will need a clean jar, small slips of paper, and a pen. Give each child a few slips and ask them to write or draw one thing they want to thank God for. Have them put the slips in the jar and take it home. Encourage the family to read one slip together each evening at dinner.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 150 is the final psalm in the book of Psalms, and it ends the collection with a loud call to praise. The psalm names the place, the reasons, and the many ways people can worship God, showing that praise is meant to be full of life and sound. It reminds grown-ups that worship is not limited to one style or setting.
Avoid suggesting to children that God only likes loud or cheerful worship, or that they must play an instrument to praise him. Quiet praise, prayer, and simple thankfulness are just as real before God. The psalm invites everyone to join in, and that includes children who cannot sing well or who feel shy.
A Prayer to Close
Lord God, we praise you for your great power and your kind love. Help us to praise you with our voices, our hands, and our whole hearts every day. Thank you that everything that has breath can join in. Amen.
