This lesson teaches children that the whole earth belongs to God, and that he is the King of glory who is strong and mighty. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the discussion, and one activity.
Big Idea
The earth belongs to God, and he is our strong and mighty King. We can trust him because he made everything and he takes care of it.
Memory Verse
Psalm 24:1
The earth is the LORD’s, with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein.
(WEB)
Have the children hold their arms out wide like the whole world, then point up to the sky and say “the LORD’s!” Repeat the verse together twice, pointing to the ground, the trees, and the people in the room as you say the words.
The Story: Psalm 24 for Kids
Long ago, a king named David wrote a happy song about God. He looked up at the sky and out at the wide fields, the rivers, and the seas. He saw that everything in the world was made by God. David sang that the whole earth belongs to the LORD, and so do all the people who live on it.
David wanted to know who could come close to God’s holy hill. So he asked a question. Who may go up to God’s holy place? The answer was people who keep their hands clean and their hearts pure. They do not tell lies, and they do not cheat. God gives a blessing to people who love him and try to do what is right.
Then David’s song became a parade. He pictured the big gates of a city, and he called out to them, “Lift up your heads, you gates!” Picture the gates swinging wide open to let a great king walk in. The people in the song were excited to see him coming.
The people asked, “Who is this King of glory?” They answered their own question. He is the LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD who wins in battle. Then they shouted it again, “The LORD of Armies is the King of glory!” The song ends with the people celebrating the God who is strong and good.
Read It Together
Psalm 24:1-2
1 The earth is the LORD’s, with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein. 2 For he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the floods.
(WEB)
Point out that God made the earth and set it on the seas. Ask the children to name something outside that God made, such as a tree, a bird, or a cloud. Help them see that everything they can see belongs to God.
Psalm 24:4-5
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, righteousness from the God of his salvation.
(WEB)
Show the children what clean hands and a pure heart mean in simple words, like being honest and kind. Explain that God blesses people who try to love him and do what is right, and that he helps us do it.
Psalm 24:8
Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
(WEB)
Point out that God is strong and mighty, especially when we feel scared or weak. Remind the children that the King of glory is also a King who fights for his people and keeps them safe.
Talk About It
- What is one thing God made that you love to look at or play with?
- How can we keep our hands and our hearts clean and pure in the way we treat our friends?
- Why do you think the people in the song wanted to open the gates for the King?
- When do you feel strong because God is with you?
- What is one way we can tell others that the LORD is the King of glory?
Activity Ideas
Draw the King’s Gates
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child draw a tall city gate on one sheet of paper, then cut a small slit down the middle so the gate can open and close. Help them write or draw one thing God made on the inside of the gate. Let them swing the gates open as they say, “Lift up your heads, you gates!”
Parade of the King
You will need a sturdy box or blanket to use as a throne, and a simple crown made from paper or a headband. Choose one child to be the King of glory and have the others line up on both sides of the room. When the King walks by, the children clap, wave their hands, and call out, “The LORD is the King of glory!”
Clean Hands Reminder
You will need a small card or sticky note for each child and a marker. Ask each child to draw a pair of clean hands on the card and write one kind thing they can do this week. Encourage them to take the card home and place it where they will see it in the morning. Pray together that God will help them keep their hearts pure.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 24 celebrates God as the Creator who owns everything and as the King who rules with strength and justice. The psalm asks who may come near to God and answers that it is those who have clean hands and a pure heart, and who seek his face. Adults can hear in it both the joy of worship and the call to live with integrity.
With children, avoid suggesting that they can earn God’s love or come close to him by being good enough. Keep the focus on God’s greatness and his kindness, and remind them that he helps us become honest and kind.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you for making the whole earth and everything in it. Thank you that you are strong and mighty and that you take care of us. Help us keep our hands clean and our hearts pure, and help us love you and our friends. We trust you as our King of glory. Amen.
