This lesson teaches children that God sees when people are unfair and that he always makes things right in the end. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, a short discussion, and a simple activity.
Big Idea
God sees when people are mean and unfair, and he always knows what is right. We can trust him to make everything fair in the end.
Memory Verse
Psalm 58:11
So that men shall say, “Most certainly there is a reward for the righteous. Most certainly there is a God who judges the earth.”
(WEB)
Teach children to hold both hands up high, then bring them slowly down to rest on their hearts as they say the verse together. Repeat it three times, getting quieter each time, so they remember that God’s justice is steady and sure.
The Story: Psalm 58 for Kids
King David wrote a song about people who were unfair to others. Some of these people would not tell the truth, even from the time they were babies. Their hearts were full of plans to hurt people who had done nothing wrong.
David said these people were like a snake that closes its ears so it cannot hear the friendly music of a snake charmer. They refused to listen to anyone who tried to help them change. They did not want to hear what was good and kind.
David then asked God to stop them from doing harm. He prayed that God would break their power, the way a strong lion’s teeth could be broken. He asked God to make their plans fail, like water running away into the ground.
David sang that good people would be glad when they saw God put wrong things right. He said that people would look at what happened and say, “There really is a reward for those who do right, and there really is a God who judges the earth.” David wanted everyone to remember that God is fair.
Read It Together
Psalm 58:3
The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born, speaking lies.
(WEB)
Point out that David described people who speak lies from the start of their lives. Ask children what it feels like when someone tells them something untrue, and remind them that God always knows the truth.
Psalm 58:6
Break their teeth, God, in their mouth. Break out the great teeth of the young lions, the LORD.
(WEB)
Show children that David asked God to stop the people who were causing harm. Explain that David trusted God to be the one who handles these problems, rather than taking revenge himself.
Psalm 58:10
The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked…
(WEB)
Point out the picture of a righteous person being glad when wrong is set right. Help children see that people who love God can feel joy when justice is shown, because they know God is good and fair.
Talk About It
- What is one thing that makes you feel that something is not fair?
- Why do you think God sees everything, even when no one else does?
- How does it feel to know that God knows what is right and always does what is right?
- What can we do when someone is being unkind to us, instead of trying to get even?
- Why do you think David asked God to help instead of doing things himself?
Activity Ideas
Justice Scales Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple balance scale with two plates. On one side, they draw something unfair, like a child taking a toy. On the other side, they draw something fair, like sharing. Talk about how God wants the scale to be balanced.
Snake Charmer Freeze Game
You will need a open space and a small object to use as a pretend flute. One child acts as the charmer and plays the flute while the others move slowly like snakes. When the flute stops, everyone freezes. Explain that the snakes in the psalm would not listen, and talk about how we can listen to God and to good advice.
Fair Friends Card to Take Home
You will need index cards, markers, and a sticker if you have one. Have each child write “God sees and is fair” on the card and decorate it. Encourage them to share the card with a family member at home and explain what it means. This helps the lesson continue beyond the classroom.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this psalm shows that God is not blind to injustice. Many people in the world hurt others and seem to get away with it, and this song reminds believers that God is the true judge who will set everything right. The psalm also teaches that righteous people can bring their anger over wrongdoing honestly to God in prayer, rather than acting on it themselves.
When teaching children, avoid making the psalm sound like a call for violence or a happy picture of other people getting hurt. The focus should be on trusting God to be fair and on the good hope that justice will come. Keep the imagery gentle and talk more about God’s goodness than about the punishments described.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you see everything and you always know what is right. Help us be honest and kind to others, even when it is hard. When things seem unfair, help us trust you to make them right. Amen.
