Psalm 120 teaches children that when people say unkind or untrue things, they can cry out to God, and he hears them. This lesson suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
When people use hurtful words, we can always call on God, and he will hear us and help us. We can also choose to speak kind and true words ourselves.
Memory Verse
Psalm 120:1
In my distress, I cried to the LORD. He answered me.
(WEB)
Teach the children to cover their ears with both hands while saying “In my trouble,” then lift their hands up high while saying “I called to the LORD,” and finish by pointing up toward the ceiling on “He answered me.” Do it together three times until everyone can move and say it at once.
The Story: Psalm 120 for Kids
Once there was a man who was in big trouble. People around him were telling lies about him, and their mean words felt like sharp arrows. He felt sad and worried, and he did not know what to do. So he did the best thing he could think of, and he prayed.
He called out to the LORD, the God who made everything. He told God, “Please rescue me from lying lips and tongues that say untrue things.” He was not hiding his feelings. He just brought them straight to God.
The man lived among people who did not want peace. He was sad that he had to live with folks who loved fighting. He felt tired from being around them for so long. He said, “I am for peace, but when I speak, they want war.”
The good news is that God heard him. The story says, “He answered me.” God listened to the man’s prayer and was near to him in his hard time. God cares when we are hurt by words, and he is always ready to listen.
Read It Together
Psalm 120:1-2
1 In my distress, I cried to the LORD. He answered me. 2 Deliver my soul, the LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
(WEB)
Point out that the psalm writer started by calling to God when he was in trouble. Ask the children what they might say to God when someone is being unkind to them. Show them that God is ready to hear any prayer, big or small.
Psalm 120:6-7
6 My soul has had her dwelling too long with him who hates peace. 7 I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.
(WEB)
Explain that the writer was tired of living around people who wanted fighting, and he wanted peace. Point out that he chose to be a peaceful person himself. Talk about how we can be peacemakers at school or at home, even when others are not.
Psalm 120:3-4
3 What will be given to you, and what will be done more to you, you deceitful tongue? 4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
(WEB)
Show the children that the psalm describes words as sharp arrows that can hurt. Help them see that hurtful words cause real pain. Remind them that God sees these words and cares about the people who are hurt by them.
Talk About It
- What did the man do when people were saying mean things about him?
- How do you feel when someone says something unkind to you?
- Why do you think God wants us to speak true and kind words?
- What is one way you can be a peacemaker this week?
- Who is someone you can always talk to when you feel hurt by others?
Activity Ideas
Arrow and Heart Craft
You will need paper, markers, scissors, glue, and craft sticks or straws. Have each child draw a large heart on the paper and write one kind word inside it. Then tape or glue the heart to the end of a straw so it looks like a friendly arrow. Talk about how kind words can lift people up instead of hurting them.
Peacemaker Freeze Game
Gather the children in an open space and choose one child to be the “unkind word” who tries to tag others. When tagged, a child freezes, and a “peacemaker” can unfreeze them by giving a kind word or a hug. Play several rounds. Afterward, talk about how kind words can rescue people who feel hurt.
Take-Home Prayer Card
You will need an index card, a pen, and a pencil or crayon. Help each child write or draw “I can call to God” on one side and “God hears me” on the other. Encourage them to keep the card by their bed or in their backpack. Ask them to read it at night or when someone is being unkind.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 120 is the opening of a set of psalms called the Songs of Ascent, and it shows a person who feels caught among people who lie and stir up conflict. It models honest prayer in distress and the hope that God hears and answers. Adults can also see the writer’s longing for peace in a divided world.
Avoid overstating to children that God will always change the people who are unkind to us or that every conflict will end quickly. Keep the focus on God hearing our prayers and being near us in hard times, rather than promising specific outcomes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Father, thank you that you hear us when we call to you. Help us to speak kind and true words, and give us peace in our hearts. When others hurt us with their words, help us to trust you. Amen.
