The Psalms are a wonderful way to recount God’s goodness and blessings and praise Him for them. This lesson focuses on Psalm 34, reminding us to exalt God and tell others about Him, and to “taste and see” that He is good. We can trust Him with our lives and celebrate how He provides and cares for us. We can encourage other people to taste and see for themselves, too. Kids love candy, and this lesson emphasizes that God’s love is sweet and wonderful like candy, but much better! (And without worries about calories or cavities!)
This Psalm invites us to consider the wonderful blessings that God gives us in His power and attributes. We are to fear the Lord and respect His power, but also know that His love and mercy far outweigh His wrath and justice. We don’t have to blindly accept God’s goodness, but can “taste and see” for ourselves that He loves us and will provide for us.
Sunday School Lesson on Psalm 34 for Children: God’s love is sweeter than candy
Passage: Psalm 34:1-22
Target Audience: Kindergarten-6th grade (Might be better geared toward older crowd)
Materials Needed: Construction paper; paper bags; yarn or string; candy; noisemakers; glue; markers or crayons; tape; scissors; decorative supplies; Bibles.
Lesson Opening: This lesson focuses on one of the Psalms, which calls people to praise and reminds them of God’s goodness, so wonderful we can “taste” it. Get students thinking with opening activities related to this passage. Some possible ideas include:
- Hide and Seek Refuge: this Psalm was written during a time when David was struggling with enemies. It references looking to the Lord for help and being rescued, so recall that with a game of hide and seek! Play the traditional way, with an element of “tag” included, or as “sardines” for a twist.
- Praise with joyful noise: This Psalm (and many others, in fact) encourage us to bless and praise God. Celebrate this with some praises. Sing songs to God, or pass around small instruments and noisemakers and have a special “praise parade” to honor the Lord.
- Taste and see test: gather unique items for children to sample (exotic fruits, new vegetables, bizarre chips, etc.). Invite students to taste and rank the foods to see how they like them. For older students, add an element of description by having them create a fun ad for the food they enjoyed best.
- Good versus evil: This Psalm reminds us that there is a battle between right and wrong, between the power of God and evil. Play a simple game like checkers, chess, battleship or even laser tag to remember that the Lord always wins in the end.
- Acrostic poems: This Psalm was originally written as an acrostic poem (in Hebrew), with each line beginning with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Have students choose a word or name and create an acrostic of their own, perhaps to give someone as a gift or decoration.
- Names of God: for older students, discuss the concept of exalting God’s name by examining what some of God’s names are and what they mean (Adonai, Yahweh, Elohim, etc.).
Explain to students that this lesson focuses on a Psalm, a poetic part of the Bible that we can use to recall God’s goodness and praise His name.
Bible Lesson: Job 38:1-7, 34-41 Explained for Children – The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
Bible Lesson:
This passage is a Psalm of praise and thanksgiving. It does not quite lend itself to role playing, but the message could be illustrated or acted out charade-style for more interactive elements. You might also read the passage out loud or have students take turns reading. Choose the preferred reading method for your group ages and size.
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
-Psalm 34:1-3
It’s interesting to note what events were surrounding the writing of the Psalms. This one was written by David after an escape from enemies, who were pursuing him often. In these opening lines, David openly praised the Lord. He talked about how God’s praise was always in his mouth and his boast would be in God. Sometimes we forget how important this is. We might praise God in our hearts, but we should exalt Him with our words and actions, too. We don’t just brag about our own accomplishments, but put our boasting in what God has done.
Ask: What are some specific things God gives you? How can we lift up His name in praise?
I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them. –Psalm 34:4-7
David gave his own testimony of how God delivered him. David sought the Lord, and God answered. It’s encouraging to read in verse 5 that those who look to God for help will “never be ashamed.” God will never forsake or leave those who cry out to Him. He saves all who put their hope and trust in Him. God’s angels surround those who fear Him. We can look to Him for help and have confidence that He delivers us.
Ask: How does God deliver us? What is the greatest thing He delivers us from? (Sin and death!)
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. –Psalm 34:8-10
These verses again bring to mind how God gives blessings to those who fear and trust in Him. When we “taste and see,” we experience God’s goodness for ourselves. We don’t just need to blindly trust what others might say but can truly know His power and love. Even if we face trouble and hardship, we can rely on God and know that He provides.
Ask: What are some things you like to taste? How can we “taste” God’s goodness?
Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles. –Psalm 34:11-17
David reminded people in this Psalm to turn away from evil and toward good. In that time, there were often wars and disputes. David wanted people to seek peace and look to God for help, and reminded them that God was for those who sought Him and against those who desired evil. God is our strength and helper and will always be with us.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
-Psalm 34:18-22
God is always near to us in life, no matter what. When we suffer pain, loss, broken hearts, or hardship, it sometimes feels as though God is far away. But He is near and delivers us. He saves us from evil and redeems us from sin and the power of Satan. Just as God took care of David, He takes care of us. David saw that, despite his trials, he had no broken bones, counting his blessings.
Side note: verse 20 is also a prophetic statement about Jesus, whose body on the cross was pierced, but suffered no broken bones.
Ask: How can you remember God’s goodness when things in life are hard?
The Psalms are a wonderful way to pray, praise, and draw closer to God. This one reminds us of God’s goodness and ever-present help in good times and bad. God will always be near us and help us, no matter what. We can lift up His name, tell others of His remarkable deeds, and “taste and see” His goodness!
Close with prayer, thanking and praising God for His goodness and His help.