This lesson teaches children that God is great, good, and worthy of praise, and that everyone and everything in creation can join in singing to him. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the reading, and a short activity.
Big Idea
God made everything, he is great, and we get to sing to him with all our hearts.
Memory Verse
Psalm 96:1
Sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
(WEB)
Stand up tall and open your arms wide like you are about to sing a big song. Then bring your hands together in front of your heart and sway them gently from side to side as you say the words. Doing the motion each time helps the whole room remember the verse.
The Story: Psalm 96 for Kids
Long ago, a songwriter named David wrote a happy song to God. He wanted everyone to hear about how wonderful God is. David said, “Sing a new song to the Lord!” He wanted people in every land to know that God is great and worthy of praise.
David looked up at the sky and saw the sun, the moon, and the twinkling stars. He saw the big blue sea rolling onto the shore. He noticed the tall trees swaying in the forest. David remembered that God made all of these things. Nothing else in the world could make the heavens, but God did.
David said that the other so-called gods that people worshiped were not real. They were just carved statues made by human hands. Only the Lord made the sky and the earth. So David told the people to bring their gifts and come into God’s house to worship him with honor and joy.
Then David pictured all of creation joining in the song. He said, “Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice!” He imagined the sea roaring with happiness and the fields full of growing things cheering. The trees of the forest would sing for joy too.
David knew that God is also a fair judge. He said that God is coming to make everything right and true. The whole world would be judged with goodness and truth. That gave David a reason to sing with confidence and trust, because God always does what is right.
Read It Together
Psalm 96:4-5
4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised! He is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
(WEB)
Point out the words “great” and “greatly to be praised.” Ask the children to name something they think is big and then explain that God is even greater. Help them notice the contrast between the Lord and the idols, which are made by people and cannot make anything.
Psalm 96:11-12
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. Let the sea roar, and its fullness! 12 Let the field and all that is in it exult! Then all the trees of the woods shall sing for joy
(WEB)
Show the children how the psalm invites the sky, the earth, the sea, and the fields to rejoice. Let them act out each thing being glad, such as the sea roaring or the field shouting for joy. This helps them see that creation itself is part of the worship.
Psalm 96:13
Before the LORD; for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, the peoples with his truth.
(WEB)
Point out that God “comes to judge the earth” with righteousness and truth. Explain simply that judging means making things right and fair. Reassure the children that God’s justice is something to be glad about, because he always does what is good.
Talk About It
- What is something in God’s creation that you think is especially beautiful, and how could it help you praise him?
- Why do you think David wanted everyone, in every country, to sing to God?
- How is the true God different from the statues and idols that some people worshiped long ago?
- What are some ways you can sing or praise God in your everyday life, not just at church?
- Why is it comforting to know that God will judge the world fairly and with truth?
Activity Ideas
Creation Praise Collage
You will need construction paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and glue. Have each child draw or cut out something God made, such as the sun, a tree, a fish, or a mountain. Glue the pictures onto a large sheet of paper and write “Sing to the Lord!” across the top. Let the children tell the group one thing they are thankful God made as they point to their picture.
Let the Earth Rejoice Movement Game
Gather the children in an open space where they can move safely. Call out different parts of creation from the psalm, such as the heavens, the sea, the field, and the trees, and have the children act out each one with a big movement. For the sea, they can roar and wave their arms, and for the trees, they can sway and clap. End by having everyone shout together, “The Lord reigns!”
Take-Home Song Card
Write the memory verse on an index card or a folded piece of paper, using simple words for younger children if needed. Decorate the card with stickers or doodles. Ask the family to sing a simple song together at dinner or bedtime that week, and encourage the children to show their card and teach the motion from the memory verse at home.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 96 is a call to worship that reaches far beyond one nation or one group of people. It reminds believers that the true God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and that all creation is invited to praise him. It also points forward to the hope that God will one day judge the world with perfect righteousness and truth, which gives believers confidence and joy.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that creation literally sings or that the sea and trees have feelings. The psalm uses poetic language to show how the whole world responds to God, so present it as a vivid picture of worship rather than a literal event. Keep the focus on God’s greatness and goodness rather than on frightening ideas about judgment.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, we thank you that you made the sky, the sea, and everything around us. We want to sing to you with joy and tell others how great you are. Help us remember that you are good and that you always do what is right. Amen.
