This lesson teaches children that God has done marvelous things, so we can sing to him with joy. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the discussion and one simple activity.
Big Idea
God is great and good, and everything in the world can join in praising him. When we remember what he has done, we want to sing.
Memory Verse
Psalm 98:1
Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand, and his holy arm, have worked salvation for him.
(WEB)
Teach the verse with a big arm sweep for “a new song,” then cup both hands by your mouth and wiggle your fingers outward for “sing.” Repeat it together three times, getting louder each time, and let the children suggest their own motions for “marvelous things.”
The Story: Psalm 98 for Kids
Long ago, a songwriter sat down to write a song to God. He had seen how God helped his people, and his heart was full. He wanted everyone to hear about it. So he began with a happy idea: God has done wonderful things, so let’s sing a brand new song to him.
The songwriter told how God had shown his strength. God’s mighty hand had won the victory for his people. God had kept his promise of love and faithfulness to the family of Israel. Even the faraway lands had seen how God saves. Everyone could see that he is good.
Then the songwriter invited the whole world to join in. “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!” he said. Singers were to burst out with joy. Harps were to play, and trumpets and ram’s horns were to sound out loud, as if celebrating a king who had come home.
The songwriter even imagined the sea roaring like a crowd cheering. Rivers clapped their hands, and mountains sang together. Nothing was too big or too small to praise God. The whole creation was invited to make music.
The song ended with a reason to be glad. God is coming to judge the earth. He will do it with fairness and right living, so the people can trust him. The songwriter wanted children and grown-ups alike to know that God’s coming is good news for those who love him.
Read It Together
Psalm 98:4
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!
(WEB)
Point out the words “make a joyful noise” and “burst out.” Ask the children to show how big and happy a noise can be, and explain that God likes to hear joy from his people.
Psalm 98:7-8
7 Let the sea roar with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein. 8 Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together.
(WEB)
Point out that the sea, the rivers and the mountains are all invited to sing. Help the children see that God made the whole world, and everything in it can praise him in its own way.
Psalm 98:9
Let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
(WEB)
Point out the words “righteousness” and “equity,” which mean fair and right. Explain that God always does what is fair, and that is a reason we can trust him.
Talk About It
- What is a marvelous thing you have seen God do in the world?
- Which instrument from the story would you like to play, and why?
- How do you think the sea and the mountains sound when they sing to God?
- What helps you feel happy and thankful to God?
- Why is it good news that God will judge the world fairly?
Activity Ideas
Make a Noisemaker Picture
You will need paper, crayons, glue, dried beans or rice, and empty paper towel tubes. Have each child decorate a tube and fill it with a few beans to make a shaker. Then they can draw a picture of something from the psalm, such as the sea or a mountain, and shake their noisemaker as they sing the memory verse together.
Joyful Noise Game
Gather the children in a open space and call out an element from the psalm: sea, rivers, mountains, or trumpets. Each time you call one out, the children act it out with a loud sound and big movements, such as waves with a roar or clapping hands for the rivers. Finish by everyone shouting “Sing to the LORD!” together.
Thankful Song Card
You will need index cards, a pencil and a few crayons. Ask each child to write or draw one marvelous thing God has done for them. Help them turn it into a short line to sing, and put the card somewhere at home so they can sing it during the week. It makes a simple take-home reminder that God’s goodness is worth singing about.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 98 celebrates God’s saving power and his faithfulness to his people, and it invites all creation to join in worship. It also looks ahead to God’s coming judgment, which brings fairness and justice. Grown-ups can take comfort that worship is a response to who God is and what he has done, not a performance we must earn.
Avoid overstating to children that every creature literally sings. The psalm uses poetic language to invite the whole world into praise, and it is best taught as vivid imagery that expresses joy and reverence. Keep the focus on God’s goodness rather than on the details of the image.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you for the marvelous things you have done. Help us sing to you with joy, just like the sea and the mountains. Thank you for being fair and faithful, and for always loving us. Amen.
