This lesson teaches children that God blesses his people so that everyone in the world will come to know him and praise him. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the activity.
Big Idea
God is kind to us so that all the people in the world will get to know him and sing his praise.
Memory Verse
Psalm 67:3
Let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.
(WEB)
Have children stand, then spread their arms wide like a big circle, and wave slowly as they say the verse together. Repeat it three times, getting a little louder each time, so the words stick.
The Story: Psalm 67 for Kids
This psalm is a song that God’s people sang together. It begins with a prayer. The singer asks God to be kind to them, to bless them, and to smile on them. A smile from God means he is pleased with his people and is near to them.
Why did they ask for this? The song tells us. They wanted the whole world to know how good God is. They wanted people in every land to learn about the way God saves and rules. The singer did not want the blessing to stay in one small place.
Then the song calls out to all the nations. “Let the peoples praise you, God,” it says. “Let all the peoples praise you!” Picture people from many countries lifting their voices together, all singing the same happy song to the same good God.
The singer knows God is fair. God will judge the peoples with fairness and will lead the nations on the earth. So the nations can be glad and sing for joy. God’s rule is good news, not something to fear.
The song ends with the land itself. The earth has given its harvest, and the singer says, “God, even our own God, will bless us.” The song says that all the ends of the earth will fear God and honor him. Everyone, everywhere, is invited to join the singing.
Read It Together
Psalm 67:1-2
1 May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us. Selah. 2 That your way may be known on earth, and your salvation among all nations…
(WEB)
Point out that the psalm starts with asking God for blessing, and then explains why: so that his way may be known on earth. Ask children to notice the word “that,” because it shows the reason behind the blessing.
Psalm 67:4
Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you will judge the peoples with equity, and govern the nations on earth. Selah.
(WEB)
Show children the words “glad” and “sing for joy.” Explain that God judging the peoples with fairness is good news, because the one who rules is the one who loves and is fair.
Psalm 67:6-7
6 The earth has yielded its increase. God, even our own God, will bless us. 7 God will bless us. All the ends of the earth shall fear him.
(WEB)
Point out the harvest in verse 6 and ask children what good things grow on the earth. Explain that the song thanks God for food and then looks ahead to the day when all people will honor him.
Talk About It
- Who do you think the psalm wants to sing to God, and how many people is that?
- What is one good thing God has given you that you could thank him for today?
- Why do you think God blesses us, and what does the psalm say he wants people to do with that blessing?
- How can you help someone you know learn about how good God is?
- What kind of songs or words could you use to praise God at home this week?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate World Map
You will need paper plates, crayons or markers, and a few pieces of yarn. Ask each child to draw a simple outline of a continent or a country on a plate, then write or draw one thing people there might sing to God about. Tape the plates to a wall in a circle so the room looks like the whole world singing together.
Nations Sing Along
Have the class stand in a open space. Name different places, such as “Africa,” “Asia,” “Europe,” and “the Americas,” and let each group pick one simple motion to show praise, like clapping, waving, or raising hands. Then have all the groups do their motions together while singing “Let all the peoples praise you.” This helps children picture many nations praising God at once.
Blessing Jar at Home
You will need a clean jar, paper slips, and a pen. Each day for a week, ask your child to write one blessing from God on a slip and drop it in the jar. At the end of the week, read the slips aloud together and thank God for each one. This helps children notice God’s kindness and talk about it as a family.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 67 shows that God’s blessing to his people is not meant to be kept to themselves. It is meant to spread outward so that all peoples come to know God’s way and praise him. The psalm holds together God’s kindness toward his own people and his care for the whole world.
Avoid suggesting to children that blessings always mean good health, wealth, or easy lives. The psalm speaks of God’s favor and the joy of knowing him, not a promise that every day will feel good. Keep the focus on God’s character and his faithfulness.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you for being kind to us and for smiling on us. Help us to know your ways and to share them with others. Let all the people of the world come to sing your praise. Help us to be glad and to sing for joy because you are good and fair. Amen.
