Single lesson
Psalm 124: Our Help Is in the Name of the LORD
Psalms 124:1–8
Psalm 124 helps children hear a group prayer of rescue and praise. In this lesson, they will notice who is speaking, the strong rescue images in the poem, and how the psalm moves from danger to thankful trust.
Before you teach
This psalm speaks in the voice of Israel and repeats that Yahweh was on their side. It describes danger from people, from overwhelming waters, and from a trap for a bird. It ends by naming Yahweh as their help and the maker of heaven and earth.
Students will be able to identify Israel as the speaker, describe the poem’s danger and rescue images, and explain that the psalm praises Yahweh as Israel’s help.
Welcome: Hear the big idea of help
5 minTell the group that this is a psalm spoken by Israel. Read verse 1 aloud twice and ask children to listen for the repeated idea. Point out that the poem begins with a question about what would have happened if Yahweh had not been on their side, so the whole psalm starts with help from Yahweh.
Psalms 124:1, Psalms 124:2
Read and explain: What dangers are named?
7 minRead verses 2 to 5 slowly. Help children notice the poem’s pictures of danger: people rising up, being swallowed alive, and waters overwhelming the soul. Explain that these are strong word pictures in the psalm. The repeated water image shows danger that would have swept over them completely.
Psalms 124:2, Psalms 124:3, Psalms 124:4, Psalms 124:5
Discuss: How does the psalm turn to praise?
6 minRead verse 6 and ask the class what changes here. The psalm moves from what enemies would have done to praise for what Yahweh has not allowed. The image of prey to their teeth is another rescue picture, showing that Yahweh has kept Israel from being handed over.
Psalms 124:6
Make and respond: Draw one image from the psalm
8 minChildren choose one image from the psalm to draw on a card: rising waters, broken snare, escaping bird, or the final words about help in Yahweh’s name. Under the picture, they copy a short phrase from the psalm and say in one sentence whether it shows danger, rescue, or praise.
Psalms 124:4, Psalms 124:5, Psalms 124:7, Psalms 124:8
Closing: Say the ending together
4 minRead verses 7 and 8 together. Point out that the psalm ends with escape and a clear statement of help. The broken snare shows rescue, and the final line names Yahweh as helper and maker of heaven and earth. Finish by inviting children to say the last verse together once more.
Psalms 124:7, Psalms 124:8
Questions to explore
Who is asked to speak in this psalm, and what repeated truth do they say first?
Look at the opening lines and notice both the speaker named and the repeated words about Yahweh being on their side.
Psalms 124:1, Psalms 124:2
Which danger picture stands out most to you: being swallowed, flood waters, or a bird trap?
Choose one image that appears in the psalm and explain what kind of danger it shows in the poem.
Psalms 124:3, Psalms 124:4, Psalms 124:5, Psalms 124:7
What final reason does the psalm give for confidence in help?
Read the last verse carefully and use its exact words about Yahweh’s name and what he made.
Psalms 124:8
Make, think or respond
Psalm 124 Image Card
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils
- crayons or coloured pencils
- Bible
Try it together
- Read Psalms 124:4-8 and let each child pick one image or line from the psalm.
- Fold a piece of paper into a simple card or use a flat sheet.
- Draw the chosen image, such as flood waters, a broken snare, or a bird escaping.
- Write a short line from the psalm under the picture.
- Invite each child to show the card and say whether it expresses danger, rescue, praise, or help.
This activity helps children notice how Psalm 124 uses pictures and short lines to move from danger to rescue and praise.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer three image choices only: water, bird, or help, and let them repeat a short phrase after you from Psalms 124:7 or Psalms 124:8.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to divide the psalm into three parts: danger, praise, and help, and match verses to each part.
An optional closing prayer
Suggested prayer: “Yahweh, thank you for being our help. Thank you for the words of this psalm that speak about rescue and praise. Help us remember that our help is in your name. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 124
1 If it had not been Yahweh who was on our side, let Israel now say,
2 if it had not been Yahweh who was on our side, when men rose up against us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us,
4 then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul.
5 Then the proud waters would have gone over our soul.
6 Blessed be Yahweh, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth.
7 Our soul has escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare. The snare is broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in Yahweh’s name, who made heaven and earth.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.