This lesson teaches children that God’s people can be honest about sadness and still remember that God is faithful, even far from home. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a short story, a few verses, and one activity.
Big Idea
Even when we feel far from home and sad, we can still remember God and talk to Him honestly. He hears us, and He does not forget us, even when life feels very hard.
Memory Verse
Psalm 137:1
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
(WEB)
Sit down on the floor together, cover your eyes with your hands, and then slowly lift your hands up like a sad song rising. Say the words slowly with the children, moving your hands together each time you say “Babylon” and “Zion.”
The Story: Psalm 137 for Kids
A long time ago, God’s people, the Israelites, were taken away from their beautiful city of Jerusalem. They were carried far away to a strange land called Babylon. Their homes were gone, and they missed their families and the place where they used to worship God.
The people sat down by the rivers of Babylon, and they cried. They remembered Zion, which is another name for Jerusalem, and their hearts felt heavy. They were so sad that they hung up their harps on the willow trees, because they did not feel like singing.
Some of the people who had taken them away came over and said, “Sing us one of your happy songs about your home!” The Israelites felt sad and did not know how to sing happy songs in such a strange place. They asked, “How can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?”
The writer of this psalm was honest with God. He said that he would never forget Jerusalem, and he told God how much he wanted to be home. He asked God to remember the people who had hurt his city, because God is the one who sees every wrong and every tear.
This psalm is not a happy song, and it is not a gentle one. It shows that God’s people could bring their big feelings, even anger and sadness, straight to God. They did not hide their hearts from Him, and they trusted that He was listening.
Read It Together
Psalm 137:1-2
1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 On the willows in that land, we hung up our harps.
(WEB)
Point out that the people were sitting by the rivers and crying. Ask the children what it feels like to be sad or far away from people they love, and remind them that God sees those feelings too.
Psalm 137:4
How can we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land?
(WEB)
Show the children that the people did not know how to sing in that hard place. Talk about times when singing feels hard, and explain that God still wants us to bring Him our hearts, even when our songs are quiet.
Psalm 137:5-6
5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill. 6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don’t remember you; if I don’t prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.
(WEB)
Point out that the writer loved Jerusalem and did not want to forget it. Ask the children to name something or someone they love so much that they never want to forget, and remind them that God is always faithful to remember His people.
Talk About It
- What do you think the people felt when they sat down by the rivers and cried?
- Why do you think the people hung up their harps and did not want to sing?
- What is something that makes you feel far away from home, and what could you do with that feeling?
- How can we talk to God when we feel sad, angry, or confused?
- What does it tell you about God that the psalm writer could be honest with Him?
Activity Ideas
Draw the Willow Trees and Harps
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a river, a willow tree, and a harp hanging from one of its branches. Talk together about how the picture makes them feel, and invite them to add a small drawing of something from home that they miss or love.
Sad Song, Happy Song Movement Game
You will need an open space and a timer or a clock. Call out “sad song” and have the children move slowly with droopy arms and quiet voices, then call out “happy song” and let them jump and clap. Switch back and forth, then finish by saying together that God hears both kinds of songs.
Take-Home Prayer Card
You will need index cards or small pieces of paper, a pencil, and a rubber band or a clip. Help each child write one feeling they have had this week on the card, such as lonely, worried, or sad. Encourage them to keep the card in a pocket or on the fridge as a reminder to talk to God about it each day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this psalm shows that faith can include lament, which is honest grief and even anger brought directly to God. The writer does not pretend everything is fine, and the psalm remains in Scripture as a model of prayer that holds pain and trust together. Adults can learn to bring their own hard feelings to God without fear of rejecting Him.
Avoid overstating the most difficult ending of this psalm to children. The final verses contain strong language about violence that is not appropriate to dwell on with young learners. Focus instead on the honest sadness and the trust in God, and simply note that the psalm includes strong feelings that adults and older students can explore together later.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You that we can tell You when we feel sad or far from home. Help us remember that You hear us and You never forget us. When our hearts feel heavy, help us trust You and bring You our feelings, both the quiet ones and the loud ones. Amen.
