The book of Psalms

In this lesson, we will take an overview of the book of Psalms. Psalms are an ancient hymnal of God’s people. They teach us how to express worship through all of life’s situations.

Key Points:

• We should praise God always.
• God is worthy of praise.
• We should talk to God whether we are happy or sad.

Lesson Guide – The book of Psalms

Begin by asking your child what their favourite song is. Ask them why it is their favourite song. Ask them how it makes them feel. Are they happy or sad when they hear it?

The book of Psalms is a collection of many different songs. Many were written by a king named David. King David wrote some Psalms when he was happy and others when he was sad. Allow the child to pick out a random number and read that Psalm. Talk about what emotion the author might have been feeling. Was he praising God or was he sad? What does that Psalm teach us.

Songs often rhyme. Talk about what a rhyme means. Read a hymn and help your child identify which words rhyme. Explain that this helps give the song a type of rhythm. Rhythm is an important part of music. Play a children’s song such as Twinkle, Twinkle. Help your child clap the rhythm. Point out the rhymes in the song.

Then explain that unlike us who use rhymes for songs, Psalm writers would use repeating phrases as a form of song writing. Read Psalm 136. Figure out which phrase repeats. Then read the Psalm while encouraging your child to say the repeating phrase with you. You may even choose to clap a rhythm.

God is worthy of praise. We should praise God always. Talk about different ways that people can worship God. Is praying worship? Is singing a hymn? Is fighting with one’s sibling?

Talk about things that your child likes to do when they are happy and what things they do when they are sad. Point out that David always praised God whether he was happy or sad.

Pray with your child and focus on praising God. Say, “I praise you God for sending Jesus. I praise you God for…”

Share how the Psalms can help us put words to our feeling. They can help us to pray when we don’t know what to say. They can help us learn from people who have experienced what we are experiencing.

If you wish you may also choose to create a simple song of praise with your child as you work on helping them understand what rhymes are.

You may end by singing your child’s favourite Sunday School song.

You may also want to follow up this lesson with our Psalm 23 lesson: https://truewaykids.com/psalm-23/

Psalm Bible Verse Images

Games and activities

Music Time

Take some time to create your own musical instrument using recycled household objects.

Have a look online for some ideas.

Create a list of things you and your child are thankful for.

Use a simple tune (chant) and give thanks to God while playing your homemade instruments.

Walk in the dark

Find a dark room or wait until it is dark outside.

Show your child how to use a flashlight.

Take a small walk in the dark. In a safe place turn of the light and show how it is difficult to see the way.

Turn back on the light and note how it is much easier to see.

Talk about how the Bible is a light and helps us to know what God wants us to do.

Emotion Faces

Use paper plates or circle cut-outs.

Allow the child to draw different faces with different emotions.

You may prompt them, “Draw a happy face”.

Talk about how the Psalmists spoke to God about how they were feeling.

Share that we can pray to and praise God no matter how we feel.

Worksheets

Free Bible Coloring Pages – Psalm Bible verses

Craft – In peace I will lie down and sleep

What you need:

• Template pages,
• Colouring equipment,
• Split Pin.

What to do:

• Colour in the template pages.  Draw your own face on the child.
• Cut out the templates
• Fix together using a split pin through the black marks.

Memory Verse

In peace I will lie down and sleep – Psalm 4:8

Craft – Lantern Craft (Psalm 119:105)

What you need:  

• Template page,
• Colouring equipment,
• Scissors,
• Glue

What to do:

1. Colour the template page and cut out the parts.
2. Fold the large section in half.  Cut on the dash line only.
3. Glue large section where shown to make the lantern shape. Glue on the handle.

Memory Verse

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path – Psalm 119:105

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Translations