This lesson teaches children that God is the great King over the whole earth, so we can clap, shout, and sing to Him with joy. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is the great King of the whole world, and we get to praise Him with happy voices and clapping hands.
Memory Verse
Psalm 47:1
Oh clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
(WEB)
Have children stand up and clap their hands on the word “clap,” then throw both arms up high on the word “shout.” Repeat it together three times, getting louder each time, until the room sounds like a happy celebration.
The Story: Psalm 47 for Kids
Long ago, a songwriter named a psalm writer sat down to write a happy song. He wanted everyone in the whole world to join in. He looked at the people of many nations and said, “Clap your hands! Shout to God with a voice full of joy!”
Why did he want everyone to be so happy? He knew God is very awesome. God is the great King over all the earth. The songwriter remembered that God had helped His people before. God gave them a land of their own, a special home that He chose for them. The songwriter said, in his own simple way, that God is the one who gives His people their place to live.
Then the songwriter remembered a time when God’s people heard a loud trumpet sound. It meant God was coming near with a shout of power. The songwriter told everyone to sing praises to God, and to sing them again, because He is their King. He said, “Sing with understanding, and know who you are singing to.”
The song ends with a picture of all the nations gathering together. The people who belong to the God of Abraham come close to celebrate. The shields that protect the earth belong to God. The songwriter closes by saying God is greatly honored and lifted up above everything.
Read It Together
Psalm 47:2
For the LORD Most High is awesome. He is a great King over all the earth.
(WEB)
Point out the two things the verse says about God: He is awesome, and He is a great King. Ask children to name one thing that makes them think of a king, like a crown or a castle, and then explain that God is even greater than any earthly king.
Psalm 47:6-7
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises. Sing praises to our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding.
(WEB)
Show children how the words “sing praises” repeat over and over, like a chorus. Point out that the verse says we should sing with understanding, which means knowing who we are singing to and why. Invite them to think about what they love most about God.
Psalm 47:8
God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne.
(WEB)
Explain that God sits on a holy throne, which means He is in charge of everything and nothing is out of His control. Let children imagine a throne room and talk about why God being in charge makes us feel safe.
Talk About It
- What is one thing you could clap or shout about today because God is good?
- How do you feel when you think of God as the King of the whole world?
- Why do you think the psalm writer wanted people from every nation to sing together?
- What is a song you know that tells about God, and how does it make you feel?
- How can we show God that we know He is our King when we are at home or at school?
Activity Ideas
Crown the King Craft
You will need paper strips, crayons or markers, tape, and glue sticks. Have each child decorate a paper strip with bright colors and any words of praise they want to write. Tape the ends together to make a crown that fits their head, and talk about how God is the King we crown with our praise.
Clap and Shout Game
No supplies are needed for this movement game. Call out a word like “clap,” “shout,” “sing,” or “stomp,” and have children do that action. Speed up as you go, and finish by calling out “Great King!” so everyone cheers together. Pause between rounds to remind children that we praise God with our whole bodies.
Praise Jar at Home
Gather a clean jar, some small slips of paper, and a pencil. Ask your child to write or draw one thing they are thankful to God for each day, then fold it and place it in the jar. Read a few slips together at dinner or bedtime, and remind your child that God is the great King who cares about every good thing in their life.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 47 is a call to joyful worship that looks beyond one nation to all peoples. It affirms that God rules over every earthly authority and that His people belong to Him as a gift. The psalm moves from exuberant praise to a vision of the nations gathering under the God of Abraham.
With children, avoid overstating the imagery of God subduing nations or peoples under feet, since that language can sound harsh without context. Focus on God’s kingship, His holiness, and the invitation to praise Him with joy instead.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we praise You because You are the great King over all the earth. Thank You for being awesome and for caring about us. Help us sing and shout with joy, and help us remember that You are always with us. Amen.
