This lesson teaches children that God is good and near them even when bad people seem to get everything they want. It works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the memory verse and the activity.
Big Idea
God is always with us and takes care of us, even when it feels like the wrong people are winning.
Memory Verse
Psalm 73:23
Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.
(WEB)
Hold your right hand out, palm up, like you are holding someone’s hand. Then gently squeeze your own fingers as you say the verse together. Each time you say “You have held my right hand,” picture God holding yours.
The Story: Psalm 73 for Kids
A man named Asaph wrote a song about a problem that made him feel sad and confused. He had watched some people who did mean and unkind things. Those people seemed happy and rich, and they never seemed to have any trouble. Asaph started to feel jealous, and his feet almost slipped as he walked on the path. He felt like he was about to fall.
Asaph looked at the bad people and saw that they wore pride like a heavy necklace. They talked loudly and spoke cruel words. Some of them even said, “Does God really know what is going on down here?” Asaph wondered whether it was even worth trying to be good when the bad people seemed to be doing so well.
Then Asaph went into God’s house, the holy place where people came to worship and pray. There he began to think more clearly. He realized that the rich and proud people were standing on slippery ground. God would not let them stand there forever. Their happiness would vanish like a dream when a person wakes up in the morning.
Asaph felt ashamed of how he had acted. He said that he had been foolish, like an animal that does not understand. But then he remembered something wonderful. God had never let go of him. God was holding his right hand and guiding him with wise advice. Asaph told God that he had no one in heaven or on earth that he wanted more than God.
At the end of the song, Asaph smiled and said that it was good to be close to God. God was his strength when his body and heart felt weak. Asaph decided he would tell everyone about all the amazing things God had done.
Read It Together
Psalm 73:1
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
(WEB)
Point out that the psalm begins with a truth Asaph already knew before his feelings got mixed up. Ask children to say the word “good” with you, and explain that God’s goodness is the starting point even when the story gets confusing.
Psalm 73:25-26
25 Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
(WEB)
Show children how Asaph names what matters most to him. Explain that God is his strength when his body and heart feel tired, and that God is not just a helper for a little while but his portion forever.
Psalm 73:28
But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord the LORD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
(WEB)
Point out the words “it is good for me to come close to God.” Explain that when we feel upset, drawing near to God through prayer and worship is the best place to go, and Asaph ends his song with a plan to tell others what God has done.
Talk About It
- What is something that makes you feel upset when you see other people get things that seem unfair?
- What did Asaph do when he started to feel confused and sad?
- How do you think Asaph felt when he remembered that God was holding his hand?
- What are some ways we can get close to God when we feel worried or jealous?
- Why do you think God’s presence was more important to Asaph than having lots of stuff?
Activity Ideas
Handprint Heart Card
You will need construction paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and glue. Have each child trace one hand on paper and cut it out. Glue the handprint onto a larger sheet and draw a heart around it. Help children write “God holds my hand” inside the heart so they can take it home as a reminder.
Slippery Path Game
You will need masking tape and a small toy or bean bag. Make a winding path on the floor with tape, and tell children that the path is slippery like the one in the psalm. Let them walk the path one at a time while balancing a bean bag on their head. Afterward, talk about how God holds us steady when we feel like we might slip.
Prayer Hand Bookmark
You will need cardstock, a pencil, scissors, and a hole punch with yarn. Have each child trace their hand, cut it out, and write a short prayer on one side such as “Lord, hold my hand.” Punch a hole at the top and tie yarn through it. Children can use the bookmark during their reading time at home to remember God is near.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this psalm is an honest look at how envy can cloud our view of God’s goodness. Asaph does not pretend his feelings are fine. He brings them to God in worship, and there he finds his perspective changed. The turning point is not that the wicked suddenly lose their wealth, but that Asaph is reminded of God’s presence and eternal care.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that bad people will always be punished right away or that good people will always be rewarded with money or ease. The psalm teaches that God is faithful and near, and that He is our true treasure. Keep the focus on God’s closeness rather than promising outcomes that children may later see differently in their own lives.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for holding our hands when we feel confused or unfair things happen. Help us remember that you are always good and always near. When we feel jealous or sad, help us come close to you and trust your care. Thank you that you are our strength and our home forever. Amen.
