Single lesson
Psalm 112: The Blessed Fear of the LORD
Psalms 112:1–10
Psalm 112 is a poem that starts with praise to Yahweh and then describes, in the third person, the blessed person who fears him. Children can trace the poem’s voice, images and movement from beginning to end.
Before you teach
The psalm opens with “Praise Yah!” and immediately blesses the person who fears Yahweh and delights in his commandments. It then moves through family and household blessing, character and conduct, a steady heart that trusts in Yahweh, generosity to the poor, and a final contrast with the wicked.
Students will identify the poem’s voice in Psalms 112:1–10, trace its movement in order, and explain how it describes the blessed person who fears Yahweh.
Welcome: Who is speaking in this poem?
4 minBegin by reading Psalms 112:1 aloud twice. Ask children to listen for the poem’s voice. Point out that it begins with “Praise Yah!” as a call of praise, then it speaks about “the man who fears Yahweh” in the third person. Children can name both parts: praise to Yahweh and description of the blessed person.
Psalms 112:1
Read and explain: Blessing at the start of the poem
6 minRead Psalms 112:1–3. Help children notice the first movement of the poem: blessing for the person who fears Yahweh, then blessing reaching to his offspring and house. Point out that the poem says his righteousness endures forever. Make a simple list on the board: fears Yahweh, delights in his commandments, offspring blessed, house blessed.
Psalms 112:1, Psalms 112:2, Psalms 112:3
Discuss: Character and a steady heart
7 minRead Psalms 112:4–8. Explain only what the poem says: light dawns in the darkness for the upright, who are gracious, merciful and righteous. The blessed person also deals graciously, lends, is not shaken, and is not afraid of evil news because his heart is steadfast, trusting in Yahweh. Ask children to spot both actions and heart words.
Psalms 112:4, Psalms 112:5, Psalms 112:6, Psalms 112:7, Psalms 112:8
Make and respond: Order the poem with pictures
9 minGive each child paper folded into four parts. In each part, they draw one stage of the poem: family or house blessing, light in darkness and gracious conduct, a steadfast heart, and giving to the poor with honour. As they work, ask them to add the matching verse numbers so they can see the poem’s movement in order.
Psalms 112:2, Psalms 112:3, Psalms 112:4, Psalms 112:5, Psalms 112:7, Psalms 112:8, Psalms 112:9
Closing: Generosity, honour and the final contrast
4 minRead Psalms 112:9–10. Recap the whole movement briefly in order: praise at the start, blessing for family and household, gracious character, a heart trusting in Yahweh, generosity to the poor, then the wicked person’s grief and perishing desire. Finish by asking children to say which verses belong at the beginning, middle and end of the poem.
Psalms 112:1, Psalms 112:2, Psalms 112:3, Psalms 112:4, Psalms 112:5, Psalms 112:6, Psalms 112:7, Psalms 112:8, Psalms 112:9, Psalms 112:10
Questions to explore
How does the poem speak in verse 1, and who does it talk about after the opening words?
Notice that Psalms 112:1 begins with “Praise Yah!” and then describes “the man who fears Yahweh” in the third person.
Psalms 112:1
What comes first in the poem’s movement after verse 1: blessings for family and house, steady trust, or the wicked person’s reaction?
Look at the order in Psalms 112:2–3 before reading later verses. The poem first mentions offspring, blessing, wealth, riches and enduring righteousness.
Psalms 112:2, Psalms 112:3
Which words in the psalm show that the blessed person’s heart is steady when bad news comes?
Read Psalms 112:7–8 and listen for the repeated heart language: steadfast, trusting in Yahweh, established and not afraid.
Psalms 112:7, Psalms 112:8
Make, think or respond
Psalm 112 Four-Part Picture Map
What you’ll need
- paper
- pencils or textas
- crayons or coloured pencils
- Bible
Try it together
- Fold one sheet of paper into four sections.
- Read Psalms 112:2–10 and choose four scenes or images that show the poem’s movement in order.
- Draw one image in each section and write the matching verse number beside it.
- Share the page with a partner and explain why your pictures belong in that order.
This activity helps children identify the poem’s movement from early blessings to steady trust, generosity and the final contrast.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, prepare the four headings orally for them to follow: family blessing, light and kindness, steady heart, giving and final contrast.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to include words that describe the voice of the poem, such as the opening praise and the third-person description in Psalms 112:1.
An optional closing prayer
You might pray: “Lord, thank you for this psalm of praise. Please help us listen carefully to your words, delight in your commandments, and trust you with steady hearts. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 112
1 Praise Yah! Blessed is the man who fears Yahweh, who delights greatly in his commandments.
2 His offspring will be mighty in the land. The generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house. His righteousness endures forever.
4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5 It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgment.
6 For he will never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered forever.
7 He will not be afraid of evil news. His heart is steadfast, trusting in Yahweh.
8 His heart is established. He will not be afraid in the end when he sees his adversaries.
9 He has dispersed, he has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor.
10 The wicked will see it, and be grieved. He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away. The desire of the wicked will perish.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.