This lesson teaches children that God has done marvelous things, so we can sing to Him with joy. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a short activity.
Big Idea
God has done amazing things, so we can sing and shout with joy to Him, because He is our King and He always keeps His promises.
Memory Verse
Psalm 98:1
Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand, and his holy arm, have worked salvation for him.
(WEB)
Teach children to stand, lift both arms high like a cheer, and then clap twice on the word “song.” Repeat the motion together three times so the verse feels like a happy song they can sing with their whole body.
The Story: Psalm 98 for Kids
Long ago, a songwriter sat down to write a new song for God. He had seen God do wonderful things for His people, and his heart was full. He wanted everyone to know about it. So he began with a simple call: sing a new song to the LORD, because He has done marvelous things!
The songwriter remembered how God had rescued His people. God had shown kindness and faithfulness to the family of Israel. Even the faraway nations had seen what God had done. The songwriter said, “Look how far God’s goodness has reached!” It was a big story, and it deserved a big song.
Then the songwriter got louder and happier. He told everyone on the earth to make a joyful noise. He said, “Burst out and sing for joy!” He pictured people playing harps, blowing trumpets, and singing with all their voices. Every sound was a way of saying thank you to God.
The songwriter kept going, and his song grew even bigger. He pictured the sea roaring with its waves. He imagined the rivers clapping their hands and the mountains singing together. Nothing in creation was left out. Everything was invited to join the celebration.
At the end of the song, the songwriter looked ahead. He said God is coming to judge the earth, and He will do it fairly and with righteousness. That made the songwriter glad, because God always does what is right. So he ended his song with praise for the King, the LORD.
Read It Together
Psalm 98:2-3
2 The LORD has made known his salvation. He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations. 3 He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
(WEB)
Point out that God has “made known” His salvation and remembered His faithfulness. Ask children to name one way they have seen God be faithful, such as a family member who helped them or a prayer that was answered.
Psalm 98:4-6
4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises! 5 Sing praises to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the voice of melody. 6 With trumpets and sound of the ram’s horn, make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD.
(WEB)
Show how the songwriter asks people to sing with many instruments, including harps, trumpets, and a ram’s horn. Explain that God welcomes every kind of happy noise we can make for Him, whether loud or soft.
Psalm 98:7-9
7 Let the sea roar with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein. 8 Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together. 9 Let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
(WEB)
Point to the sea, rivers, and mountains in this part of the psalm. Explain that even nature sings and claps for God, and that God will judge the world with righteousness and equity, which means fairly and rightly.
Talk About It
- What is one wonderful thing God has done for you that you could sing about?
- Which instrument would you choose to make a joyful noise for God, and why?
- How does it feel to sing with other people who love God too?
- What do you think the rivers and mountains would sound like if they could sing?
- Why do you think it makes God happy when we praise Him?
Activity Ideas
Make a Joyful Noise Shaker
You will need empty paper towel tubes or plastic bottles, dry rice or beans, tape, and paper for decorating. Have children fill the tube or bottle with a small handful of rice, seal the ends with tape, and decorate them with crayons and stickers. While they work, talk about how each shaker can make its own happy sound for God, just like the instruments in the psalm.
Sea, Rivers, and Mountains Move
Clear some space in a living room or classroom. Call out the parts of creation from the psalm: “Sea roars!” children make big waves with their arms, “Rivers clap!” they clap their hands, and “Mountains sing!” they stretch tall and hum. Play a cheerful song in the background and let the children move freely, then pause and say together, “Sing to the LORD!”
Take-Home Song Card
Give each child an index card or a piece of paper folded in half. Help them write “Sing a new song to the LORD” on the front and draw one thing God has done for them on the inside. Encourage them to read it to someone at home during the week and sing a short song about God’s goodness together as a family.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 98 celebrates God as the faithful King who has acted to save His people and who will one day judge the world with justice. The psalm invites the whole creation, from people to seas, to respond with praise. It reminds us that our worship is a response to God’s past actions and His promised future.
For children, avoid overstating the judgment theme in ways that might frighten them. Keep the focus on God’s kindness, faithfulness, and joy, and simply explain that God is always fair and good in everything He does.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for the marvelous things You have done for us. Help us sing new songs and make a joyful noise to You every day. Thank You that You are faithful and fair, and that You always keep Your promises. We love You, and we want to praise You with our whole hearts. Amen.
8TITLE: Psalm 98 Lesson for Kids: Sing a New Song to God
This lesson teaches children that God has done marvelous things, so we can sing to Him with joy. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a short activity.
Big Idea
God has done amazing things, so we can sing and shout with joy to Him, because He is our King and He always keeps His promises.
Memory Verse
The Story: Psalm 98 for Kids
Long ago, a songwriter sat down to write a new song for God. He had seen God do wonderful things for His people, and his heart was full. He wanted everyone to know about it. So he began with a simple call: sing a new song to the LORD, because He has done marvelous things!
The songwriter remembered how God had rescued His people. God had shown kindness and faithfulness to the family of Israel. Even the faraway nations had seen what God had done. The songwriter said, “Look how far God’s goodness has reached!” It was a big story, and it deserved a big song.
Then the songwriter got louder and happier. He told everyone on the earth to make a joyful noise. He said, “Burst out and sing for joy!” He pictured people playing harps, blowing trumpets, and singing with all their voices. Every sound was a way of saying thank you to God.
The songwriter kept going, and his song grew even bigger. He pictured the sea roaring with its waves. He imagined the rivers clapping their hands and the mountains singing together. Nothing in creation was left out. Everything was invited to join the celebration.
At the end of the song, the songwriter looked ahead. He said God is coming to judge the earth, and He will do it fairly and with righteousness. That made the songwriter glad, because God always does what is right. So he ended his song with praise for the King, the LORD.
Read It Together
Talk About It
- What is one wonderful thing God has done for you that you could sing about?
- Which instrument would you choose to make a joyful noise for God, and why?
- How does it feel to sing with other people who love God too?
- What do you think the rivers and mountains would sound like if they could sing?
- Why do you think it makes God happy when we praise Him?
Activity Ideas
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 98 celebrates God as the faithful King who has acted to save His people and who will one day judge the world with justice. The psalm invites the whole creation, from people to seas, to respond with praise. It reminds us that our worship is a response to God’s past actions and His promised future.
For children, avoid overstating the judgment theme in ways that might frighten them. Keep the focus on God’s kindness, faithfulness, and joy, and simply explain that God is always fair and good in everything He does.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for the marvelous things You have done for us. Help us sing new songs and make a joyful noise to You every day. Thank You that You are faithful and fair, and that You always keep Your promises. We love You, and we want to praise You with our whole hearts. Amen.
