In this lesson, children learn that God’s loving kindness lasts forever, even when people act unkind or boast about being strong. This Psalm 52 Sunday school lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God’s love never runs out, so we can trust Him instead of trusting money, bragging, or being mean to others.
Memory Verse
Psalm 52:8
But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in God’s house. I trust in God’s loving kindness forever and ever.
(WEB)
Have children cup their hands together in front of their chest, like holding a little tree, then slowly stretch their arms up and wave them gently. Each time they do it, they remember that trusting God makes them strong and steady, like a green olive tree.
The Story: Psalm 52 for Kids
King David wrote this song a long time ago. There was a man named Doeg who worked for King Saul. Doeg was a liar and a troublemaker. He said mean and sneaky things that hurt good people, and he seemed proud of how clever he was.
Doeg loved his riches and believed his money would keep him safe. He did not ask God to be his strength. Instead, he made plans to hurt others and trusted in his own power to win. David saw all of this and knew it was wrong.
David said that God sees everything. God will not let liars and cruel people get away with their bad choices forever. The good people who see what happens will feel afraid of God and will be glad He is in charge. They will even laugh, saying, “Look at this man! He trusted in his money instead of God.”
But David was not like Doeg. He said he was like a green olive tree growing in God’s house. A tree planted in a good place stays fresh and strong, and David knew God’s loving kindness would hold him up. He trusted God, not his own cleverness.
So David made a promise. He would thank God forever, because God had done what was right. He would hope in God’s good name and stay close to God’s people, the ones who love Him too.
Read It Together
Psalm 52:1
Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man? God’s loving kindness endures continually.
(WEB)
Point out that David asks Doeg why he boasts about doing bad things. Explain that bragging about hurting people is not something to be proud of, and that God’s loving kindness is always stronger.
Psalm 52:6-7
6 The righteous also will see it, and fear, and laugh at him, saying, 7 “Behold, this is the man who didn’t make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.”
(WEB)
Show children how people who trust in riches instead of God end up looking foolish. Ask them to notice that the story does not say the man was strong, but that he trusted his money instead of God.
Psalm 52:9
I will give you thanks forever, because you have done it. I will hope in your name, for it is good, in the presence of your saints.
(WEB)
Help children see that David ends the psalm with a promise to keep thanking God. Point out the word “forever” and talk about how we can thank God every day, not only when things go well.
Talk About It
- What do you think it means that God’s loving kindness lasts forever?
- Why do you think Doeg was so proud of his lies and his riches?
- How can you be like a tree planted in God’s house in your everyday life?
- What is one thing you can thank God for this week?
- When someone is mean to you, how can you choose to trust God instead of getting even?
Activity Ideas
Olive Tree Drawing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, green paint or a green crayon, and a cotton swab. Have children draw a tall trunk and a round top for the tree, then dab green paint or color the leaves with short strokes. Ask them to write “I trust God’s love” at the bottom of the page. They can take the picture home to remind them of David’s promise.
Tree Planting Movement Game
Clear some space in the room and have children start curled up small like seeds. Call out “Storm!” and they can wobble and shake, then call “Trust God!” and they stand up tall and still like a strong olive tree. Repeat several times, changing the storm sounds, so children practice standing firm.
Take-Home Thankful Tree
You will need a sheet of paper, a pencil, and some small paper leaves cut from scrap paper. Help the child draw a simple tree and write three things they are thankful to God for on separate leaves. Tape the leaves to the tree and encourage the child to read the list aloud at dinner that week, reminding the family that God’s love never ends.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 52 contrasts two ways of living: trusting in wealth and cleverness, which ends in ruin, and trusting in God’s steady love, which brings lasting security. David speaks against the proud and deceitful while anchoring his own hope in God’s faithfulness. The psalm also reminds believers that the righteous will see God’s justice and respond with reverence.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that bad people always get punished right away or that good people will never suffer. The psalm speaks of God’s justice and ultimate faithfulness, and children may need gentle reassurance that God’s love holds them even when life feels unfair.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that your loving kindness lasts forever. Help us trust you and not our own strength or our stuff. Make us strong and steady like trees growing in your house, and help us thank you every day. Amen.
