This lesson teaches children that God is good, great, and worthy of our praise, because He made everything and takes care of His people. It works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is great and good, so we praise Him with our voices, our words, and our whole lives every day.
Memory Verse
Psalm 135:3
Praise Yah, for the LORD is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant.
(WEB)
Have children stand up and clap their hands once for each word of the verse: “Praise,” “Yah,” “for,” “the,” “Lord,” “is,” “good.” Then have them sit down together while they sing the last part, “Sing praises to his name,” with big arm waves like they are singing to a crowd.
The Story: Psalm 135 for Kids
Long ago, a songwriter named the psalmist wrote a happy song to God. He called all of God’s servants to come and stand in God’s house and sing. He wanted everyone to know that the LORD is good, and that singing His name is a wonderful thing to do.
The psalmist remembered how God had chosen the people of Israel to be His very own. God had cared for them like a treasure. The psalmist said, “I know that the LORD is great, and He is above all the so-called gods.” Only the true God made the sky, the seas, and every deep place.
God sends the clouds and the rain. He makes the lightning flash and brings the wind out of His storehouses. The psalmist thought about how God took care of Egypt’s mistakes and how God rescued His people from Pharaoh. God is powerful, and He cares about what happens to His people.
Then the song talks about the false idols that other nations made out of silver and gold. Those idols have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, and ears but cannot hear. The psalmist wanted everyone to know that only the living God can truly help us.
The song ends by calling the whole family of Israel to praise the LORD. The priests and the helpers, and everyone who fears God, should join in. Their song ends with a blessing: “Blessed be the LORD from Zion.” Praise Yah!
Read It Together
Psalm 135:13-14
13 Your name, the LORD, endures forever; your renown, the LORD, throughout all generations. 14 For the LORD will judge his people, and have compassion on his servants.
(WEB)
Point out that God’s name lasts forever, from one generation to the next. Explain that God judges His people fairly and has compassion on His servants, which means He is kind and cares for them when they need Him.
Psalm 135:15-18
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. 16 They have mouths, but they can’t speak. They have eyes, but they can’t see. 17 They have ears, but they can’t hear; neither is there any breath in their mouths. 18 Those who make them will be like them; yes, everyone who trusts in them.
(WEB)
Show children how these verses describe idols that cannot see, hear, or speak. Ask them to notice that the people who trust in such things become like them, while the living God is always alive and able to help.
Psalm 135:6
Whatever the LORD pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps…
(WEB)
Point out that the LORD does whatever He pleases, in heaven and on earth, and in the seas and all the deep places. Help children see that nothing is too big or too small for God to care for.
Talk About It
- What is one thing God has made that you think is amazing, like the clouds, the rain, or the wind?
- How did the psalmist want people to show that God is good?
- Why do you think the psalmist said that God’s name lasts forever?
- What do you think it means to trust in something that cannot help you?
- What is one way you can sing or praise God this week, at home or at church?
Activity Ideas
Cloud and Rain Painting
You will need white paper, a cup of water, blue and gray watercolor or washable paint, cotton balls, and a small paintbrush. Have children dip cotton balls in the paint and press them lightly across the paper to make clouds. Then let them flick a few drops of water onto the paper to show rain, and talk together about how God sends the rain.
Praise Line Game
Gather the children in a line and have the first child say one thing God made, like “the sea” or “the wind.” The next child must repeat it and add another one. Keep going as long as the children can remember, then end by everyone shouting “Praise Yah!” together. This helps children see how many wonderful things God has made.
Praise Card for Home
You will need an index card, a pencil, and some crayons or markers. Have each child write or draw one thing they praise God for on the card. Suggest they put it on the kitchen table or by their bed, and read it aloud at dinner or bedtime. This gives the family a simple way to remember that God is good all week long.
Teacher Notes
Psalm 135 is a call to worship that reminds God’s people of His power in creation and in history. For adults, it shows that praise is both a response to who God is and a way to remember what He has done. It also contrasts the living God with lifeless idols, which helps believers stay focused on Him.
Avoid overstating the idol section to children as a lesson about people today who are fearful or scary. Keep the focus on God’s goodness and power, and simply say that only the living God can truly help and care for us.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, we thank You that You are good and great. We praise Your name for making the sky, the rain, and the wind. Help us to sing to You every day and to trust You, because You are always able to help us. Amen.
