Single lesson
Psalm 147: It Is Good to Sing Praises
Psalms 147:1–20
Psalm 147 teaches children to notice how this song of praise moves from God’s care for people, to his care for creation, to his care for Jerusalem, and finally to his word given to Israel.
Before you teach
This psalm repeatedly calls others to praise Yahweh and then gives reasons for that praise. In these verses, Yahweh rebuilds Jerusalem, heals the broken in heart, rules over stars and weather, feeds animals, strengthens the city, and shows his word, statutes, and ordinances to Jacob and Israel.
Students will be able to name at least three reasons for praise in Psalm 147 and describe how the psalm moves through its pictures of God’s care, power, and word.
Welcome: Why is praise fitting?
5 minBegin by reading Psalm 147:1 aloud twice. Ask the children to listen for words that describe praise. Point out that the speaker says praise is good, pleasant, and fitting. Explain that the speaker is calling other people to praise God, not mainly speaking a prayer directly to God.
Psalms 147:1, Psalms 147:12
Read and explain: God cares for people and creation
8 minRead Psalms 147:2-11 slowly. Help children spot the pictures: God builds Jerusalem, gathers outcasts, heals the broken-hearted, counts the stars, sends rain, grows grass, and feeds animals. Explain that the poem joins tender care with great power. It also says Yahweh upholds the humble and brings the wicked down, and that praise is offered with thanksgiving as well as song.
Psalms 147:2, Psalms 147:3, Psalms 147:4, Psalms 147:5, Psalms 147:6, Psalms 147:7, Psalms 147:8, Psalms 147:9, Psalms 147:10, Psalms 147:11
Discuss: Praise in the city and in the weather
6 minRead Psalms 147:12-18. Ask children what changes here. The poem now speaks directly to Jerusalem and Zion, praising God for protection, children, peace, and food. Then it turns to snow, frost, hail, wind, and flowing water. Explain that these weather pictures are linked to God’s command and word going swiftly through the earth.
Psalms 147:12, Psalms 147:13, Psalms 147:14, Psalms 147:15, Psalms 147:16, Psalms 147:17, Psalms 147:18
Make and respond: Illustrated praise card
7 minChildren will make a small card with one reason for praise from the psalm. Invite them to choose one image such as stars, rain, animals, peace, snow, or God’s word, then copy a short phrase from the passage and draw a matching picture. Encourage them to tell how their picture fits the poem’s message.
Psalms 147:4, Psalms 147:8, Psalms 147:9, Psalms 147:14, Psalms 147:16, Psalms 147:19
Closing: God’s word and our summary
4 minFinish by reading Psalms 147:19-20 and then the final praise line. Explain that the psalm ends by saying God showed his word, statutes, and ordinances to Jacob and Israel. Briefly remind children that the same psalm also says God’s word runs swiftly through the earth and brings change in the weather. Ask each child to name one reason for praise.
Psalms 147:15, Psalms 147:18, Psalms 147:19, Psalms 147:20
Questions to explore
In verse 1, what three words describe praise, and what do they teach us about singing to God?
Look carefully at the opening line and list the exact words the psalm uses before you explain them in simple language.
Psalms 147:1
Which lines show both Yahweh’s kindness and his rule in verses 2-11?
Include one example of care, such as healing or feeding, and also notice the contrast where he upholds the humble and brings the wicked down, and the call to sing with thanksgiving.
Psalms 147:3, Psalms 147:6, Psalms 147:7, Psalms 147:9, Psalms 147:11
How do verses 15-18 show that the weather pictures are connected to God’s word?
Notice that his commandment or word goes out, and then snow, frost, hail, wind, and flowing waters are described.
Psalms 147:15, Psalms 147:16, Psalms 147:17, Psalms 147:18
Make, think or respond
Illustrated Praise Card
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or markers
- Bible text of Psalm 147
- scissors if desired
- coloured pencils or crayons
Try it together
- Ask each child to choose one image or phrase from Psalm 147, such as stars, rain, ravens, peace, snow, or God's word.
- Fold or cut the paper into a small card and write a short line from the chosen verse on the front.
- Draw a picture that matches the line from the psalm.
- On the back, write one sentence beginning with 'I can praise God because...' using words from the passage.
- Invite volunteers to show their card and name the verse they used.
This activity helps children respond to the poem by matching its words and images with a simple act of praise drawn from Psalm 147.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer two or three verse choices and let them dictate their sentence while they focus on drawing the picture.
- For older or confident readers, ask them to trace the psalm’s movement from opening praise, to care for people and creation, to Jerusalem, and to God’s word for Israel.
An optional closing prayer
'God, thank you that this psalm shows your care for people, animals, cities, and the earth. Please help us notice your goodness and praise you with thankful hearts. Amen.'
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 147
1 Praise Yah, for it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and fitting to praise him.
2 Yahweh builds up Jerusalem. He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
4 He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite.
6 Yahweh upholds the humble. He brings the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving. Sing praises on the harp to our God,
8 who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass grow on the mountains.
9 He provides food for the livestock, and for the young ravens when they call.
10 He doesn’t delight in the strength of the horse. He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his loving kindness.
12 Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem! Praise your God, Zion!
13 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates. He has blessed your children within you.
14 He makes peace in your borders. He fills you with the finest of the wheat.
15 He sends out his commandment to the earth. His word runs very swiftly.
16 He gives snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can stand before his cold?
18 He sends out his word, and melts them. He causes his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
19 He shows his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
20 He has not done this for just any nation. They don’t know his ordinances. Praise Yah!
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.