Single lesson
Psalm 39: I Will Watch My Ways
Psalms 39:1–13
Psalm 39 is a prayer that begins with careful silence and turns into honest words to God. In this lesson, children trace the speaker’s images, questions and requests, and notice how the psalm moves from restraint to hope and pleading.
Before you teach
In Psalms 39:1–13, the speaker first decides to guard his tongue, especially while the wicked are present. His silence increases his sorrow, so he speaks to Yahweh about life’s shortness, human frailty, sin, correction, tears and hope. The whole passage is shaped as prayer and reflection.
Students will be able to identify the speaker’s movement from silence, to reflection on life’s brevity, to hope and requests addressed to Yahweh in Psalms 39:1–13.
Welcome: Silent face, speaking heart
4 minAsk children to sit quietly for ten seconds, then ask whether being quiet always means feelings disappear. Introduce the psalm as a prayer where the speaker first tries not to speak, then finally speaks to Yahweh. Explain that we are listening for who is speaking, what images are used, and how the prayer changes.
Psalms 39:1, Psalms 39:2, Psalms 39:3
Read and explain: Guarded words and rising sorrow
7 minRead Psalms 39:1–3 aloud. Point out the speaker saying, “I will watch my ways” and “I will keep my mouth with a bridle”, which pictures strong control over speech. Then notice that silence does not settle everything. His sorrow is stirred, his heart grows hot, and at last he speaks.
Psalms 39:1, Psalms 39:2, Psalms 39:3
Discuss: Hand widths, breath and shadow
6 minRead Psalms 39:4–6 and 39:11. Explain the images simply: “hand widths” pictures a very short measure, “breath” shows how brief life is, and “shadow” suggests something passing. Help children see that the speaker is asking God to show him his frailty, and he says people can be busy without lasting control.
Psalms 39:4, Psalms 39:5, Psalms 39:6, Psalms 39:11
Make and respond: Hope and prayer card
8 minRead Psalms 39:7–13. Show that the prayer turns to hope, confession and requests: “My hope is in you”, “Deliver me”, “Hear my prayer”, and “spare me”. Children make a simple image card with one picture from the psalm and one line of prayer from these verses, then share why it fits the movement of the psalm.
Psalms 39:7, Psalms 39:8, Psalms 39:12, Psalms 39:13
Closing: What changed in the prayer?
5 minReview the psalm’s movement together: silence, burning thoughts, words to Yahweh, hope, and urgent requests. Invite children to say one image or phrase they remember. Finish by reminding them that this passage is a prayer that speaks honestly about weakness and places hope in God.
Psalms 39:3, Psalms 39:7, Psalms 39:12, Psalms 39:13
Questions to explore
Why does the speaker first try to keep silent?
Look for his reason about not sinning with his tongue and the mention of the wicked being before him, then notice that silence still stirs sorrow.
Psalms 39:1, Psalms 39:2
Which images show that human life is short in this psalm?
Find the measuring and passing images the speaker uses when asking God to show him his frailty.
Psalms 39:4, Psalms 39:5, Psalms 39:6, Psalms 39:11
How does the prayer turn after the speaker thinks about life and sin?
Listen for the lines where he states his hope and then asks Yahweh to deliver, hear and spare him.
Psalms 39:7, Psalms 39:8, Psalms 39:12, Psalms 39:13
Make, think or respond
Psalm 39 Image Prayer Card
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or markers
- crayons or coloured pencils
- Bible text of Psalms 39:1–13
Try it together
- Choose one image or phrase from the psalm, such as a bridle, hand widths, breath, shadow, tears or hope.
- Draw that image on one side of a card.
- Write one short line from Psalms 39:7–13 on the other side, or copy a few key words.
- Share with a partner how your picture matches the speaker’s feelings or request in the psalm.
This activity helps children connect the psalm’s images with its movement from silence and frailty to hope and prayer.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer two or three image choices from the psalm and let them copy only a few key words, such as “My hope is in you”.
- For older or confident readers, ask them to place the chosen phrase on a simple timeline showing the psalm’s movement from silence to speaking, hope and pleading.
An optional closing prayer
You could pray: “Lord, help us use our words carefully, remember how much we need you, and learn to bring our hopes and tears to you.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 39
1 I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”
2 I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.
3 My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned. I spoke with my tongue:
4 “Yahweh, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.
5 Behold, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.” Selah.
6 “Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn’t know who shall gather.
7 Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish.
9 I was mute. I didn’t open my mouth, because you did it.
10 Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
11 When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, you consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath.” Selah.
12 “Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry. Don’t be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were.
13 Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away and exist no more.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.