Single lesson
Psalm 116: The LORD Has Heard My Voice
Psalms 116:1–19
Psalm 116 is a prayer of love and thanks to Yahweh. In this lesson, children trace how the speaker moves from danger and crying out, to rescue, trust and public thanksgiving.
Before you teach
This psalm speaks in the first person. The speaker says Yahweh heard his cries for mercy, saved him when he was brought low, and led him to respond with trust, thanksgiving and vows before all the people in Jerusalem. The poem uses strong pictures such as cords, tears, falling, chains and a cup of salvation.
Students will identify the speaker’s movement in Psalm 116 from distress, to calling on Yahweh, to rescue, to thankful worship shown in words and actions.
Welcome: Hear the big feeling words
5 minBegin by saying that this psalm is a prayer-poem spoken by one person to Yahweh. Ask children to listen for feeling words and picture words as you read aloud. Write two starter headings where everyone can see them: “trouble” and “thanks”. Explain that the class will hear how the psalm moves from one to the other.
Psalms 116:1, Psalms 116:3, Psalms 116:12, Psalms 116:17
Read and explain: From danger to calling out
7 minRead verses 1 to 9 slowly. Explain that “cries for mercy” means asking for help, and “the cords of death” and “my feet from falling” are strong images showing great danger and weakness. Notice the order: the speaker was in trouble, called on Yahweh, then says Yahweh is gracious, merciful and saving.
Psalms 116:1, Psalms 116:3, Psalms 116:4, Psalms 116:5, Psalms 116:6, Psalms 116:8, Psalms 116:9
Discuss: What changes in the middle of the psalm?
6 minRead verses 10 to 16. Help children notice that the speaker still remembers affliction and hasty words, yet now asks how to respond to Yahweh’s benefits. Point out the repeated promises: calling on Yahweh’s name, paying vows, and saying, “I am your servant.” The psalm is turning from fear to thankful commitment.
Psalms 116:10, Psalms 116:11, Psalms 116:12, Psalms 116:13, Psalms 116:14, Psalms 116:16
Make and respond: Illustrated prayer or image card
8 minChildren make one card divided into two or three panels. In each panel they draw and label an image from the psalm, such as an ear listening, tears, feet standing, a cup, or chains set free. Under each image they copy a short line from the psalm or write a simple prayer of thanks that matches the verse.
Psalms 116:2, Psalms 116:8, Psalms 116:13, Psalms 116:16, Psalms 116:17
Closing: Praise in the gathering
4 minRead verses 17 to 19 together. Invite children to share one image or phrase they chose and say whether it showed need, rescue, trust or praise. Finish by noticing that the psalm ends in public worship, with thanksgiving offered in Yahweh’s house and a final call to praise.
Psalms 116:17, Psalms 116:18, Psalms 116:19
Questions to explore
What words in the psalm show that the speaker was in deep trouble before he prayed?
Look for the strong images in the early verses, such as cords, pains, trouble, sorrow, tears and falling, then explain what they show about his situation.
Psalms 116:3, Psalms 116:8
After Yahweh hears and saves, what does the speaker say he will do?
Find the repeated action words like call, walk, take, pay and offer to trace his response of trust and worship.
Psalms 116:2, Psalms 116:9, Psalms 116:13, Psalms 116:14, Psalms 116:17
How does the ending show that this thanksgiving is not kept private?
Notice where the speaker says he will pay his vows and offer thanksgiving, and who is present there.
Psalms 116:14, Psalms 116:18, Psalms 116:19
Make, think or respond
Psalm 116 Image Prayer Card
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils
- coloured pencils or crayons
- Bible text of Psalm 116
Try it together
- Fold or divide a sheet into two or three sections.
- Choose images from the psalm, such as tears, feet, a cup, chains, or an ear listening, and draw one in each section.
- Write a short phrase from the matching verse beside each image.
- Add one simple sentence of thanks or trust that fits the psalm’s words.
- Share the card with a partner and explain how the images follow the movement of the psalm.
This activity helps children notice how Psalm 116 expresses danger, rescue, trust and praise through memorable images and repeated responses.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer four prepared choices for images to draw and let them copy only one or two key phrases such as “he listens”, “you delivered”, or “Praise Yah!”.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to arrange their card in the psalm’s order and label each part: distress, prayer, rescue, thanksgiving and worship.
An optional closing prayer
“Yahweh, thank you that this psalm shows you hear cries for mercy. Please help us trust you, thank you and praise you with our words and lives. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 116
1 I love Yahweh, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy.
2 Because he has turned his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called on Yahweh’s name: “Yahweh, I beg you, deliver my soul.”
5 Yahweh is gracious and righteous. Yes, our God is merciful.
6 Yahweh preserves the simple. I was brought low, and he saved me.
7 Return to your rest, my soul, for Yahweh has dealt bountifully with you.
8 For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before Yahweh in the land of the living.
10 I believed, therefore I said, “I was greatly afflicted.”
11 I said in my haste, “All people are liars.”
12 What will I give to Yahweh for all his benefits toward me?
13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call on Yahweh’s name.
14 I will pay my vows to Yahweh, yes, in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in Yahweh’s sight is the death of his saints.
16 Yahweh, truly I am your servant. I am your servant, the son of your servant girl. You have freed me from my chains.
17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call on Yahweh’s name.
18 I will pay my vows to Yahweh, yes, in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of Yahweh’s house, in the middle of you, Jerusalem. Praise Yah!
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.