Single lesson
Psalm 28: The LORD Is My Strength
Psalms 28:1–9
Psalm 28 is a prayer-song that moves from urgent calling to thankful praise. The singer asks Yahweh to hear, to judge the wicked rightly, and to care for his people.
Before you teach
The speaker addresses Yahweh directly as “my rock” and pleads not to be ignored. He contrasts his prayer with wicked people who speak peace while holding mischief within. Then he blesses Yahweh for hearing and ends by praying for Yahweh’s people and his anointed.
Describe the central teaching of Psalm 28: The LORD Is My Strength, using two details from the reading. Psalm 28 shows a prayer that moves from pleading for help to praising Yahweh and asking him to save and care for his people.
Welcome: Psalm 28: The LORD Is My Strength
4 minIntroduce “The LORD Is My Strength” and locate Psalms 28:1–9. Psalm 28 shows a prayer that moves from pleading for help to praising Yahweh and asking him to save and care for his people. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Psalms 28:1, Psalms 28:5, Psalms 28:9
Read and explain the passage
8 minThe psalm opens with direct urgency: “To you, Yahweh, I call.” Calling Yahweh “my rock” shows the singer looks to him for firmness and safety. He fears Yahweh’s silence, saying that without an answer he would be like those who go down into the pit.
The reason is stated clearly: they do not respect the works of Yahweh or the operation of his hands. Because of that, the psalm says Yahweh will break them down and not build them up. The issue is both their wrongdoing and their disregard for Yahweh’s work.
The tone turns with, “Blessed be Yahweh, because he has heard.” Yahweh is called strength and shield. The singer says his heart trusted in Yahweh, he was helped, and so he rejoices and gives thanks in song. The prayer then widens to Yahweh’s people, his anointed, and a request that he save, bless, shepherd, and bear them up.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “The LORD Is My Strength”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Psalms 28:1, Psalms 28:5, Psalms 28:6, Psalms 28:7, Psalms 28:8, Psalms 28:9
Discuss the details and their meaning
6 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What names or pictures for Yahweh appear in this psalm?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Psalm 28 shows a prayer that moves from pleading for help to praising Yahweh and asking him to save and care for his people. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Psalms 28:1, Psalms 28:7, Psalms 28:8, Psalms 28:9, Psalms 28:3, Psalms 28:5, Psalms 28:2, Psalms 28:6
Make and respond: Words and images response sheet
9 minWork on “Psalm 28: The LORD Is My Strength: Words and images response sheet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “The LORD Is My Strength” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Psalms 28:1, Psalms 28:5, Psalms 28:9
Closing: return to The LORD Is My Strength
3 minRevisit Psalms 28:1–9. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about The LORD Is My Strength and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Psalms 28:1, Psalms 28:5, Psalms 28:9
Questions to explore
What names or pictures for Yahweh appear in this psalm?
List the images and notice what each one suggests from the wording of the verse itself.
Psalms 28:1, Psalms 28:7, Psalms 28:8, Psalms 28:9
How are the wicked described?
Look at what they say outwardly, what is in their hearts, and how they respond to Yahweh’s works.
Psalms 28:3, Psalms 28:5
Where does the psalm move from request to praise?
Compare the pleas for Yahweh to hear with the later words that he has heard, helped, and brought rejoicing.
Psalms 28:2, Psalms 28:6, Psalms 28:7
Make, think or respond
Psalm 28: The LORD Is My Strength: Words and images response sheet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or crayons
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “A repeated word or image”, “Its verse reference”, “What it expresses”.
- Read Psalms 28:1–9. Use “The LORD Is My Strength” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Talk through your notes with an adult. Add a word, drawing or short quotation that helps you remember each part.
- Choose one image and add a short written response or a simple drawing. Explain how it connects with the passage.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Psalm 28: The LORD Is My Strength connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, read the selected verses aloud, prepare the three panels and let them respond with drawings or a few words. Use The LORD Is My Strength as the retelling prompt.
- For older children, add verse references to the response sheet and explain a connection between The LORD Is My Strength and the final part of the reading.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Psalms 28:1–9. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 28
1 To you, Yahweh, I call. My rock, don’t be deaf to me, lest, if you are silent to me, I would become like those who go down into the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
3 Don’t draw me away with the wicked, with the workers of iniquity who speak peace with their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts.
4 Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings. Give them according to the operation of their hands. Bring back on them what they deserve.
5 Because they don’t respect the works of Yahweh, nor the operation of his hands, he will break them down and not build them up.
6 Blessed be Yahweh, because he has heard the voice of my petitions.
7 Yahweh is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him.
8 Yahweh is their strength. He is a stronghold of salvation to his anointed.
9 Save your people, and bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.