Single lesson
Psalm 46: God Is Our Refuge and Strength
Psalms 46:1–11
Psalm 46 uses strong pictures to teach trust in God. Children will hear the movement from trouble and shaking, to God’s presence, to God’s rule over the earth, and respond with words and images from the psalm.
Before you teach
This psalm speaks in the voice of a group saying “our” and “us”. It begins with trouble and scenes of earth, sea and mountains shaking, then describes God’s city, God’s help, raging nations, and finally God’s command to be still and know that he is God.
Students will identify the main images in Psalm 46 and explain that the psalm teaches trust because God is with his people and rules over the earth.
Welcome: Hear the big idea of refuge
5 minSay: “Today we are reading a psalm, a poem about God.” Write the words refuge, strength and help where everyone can see them. Explain simply that a refuge is a safe place. Read verse 1 aloud twice and ask children to listen for what God is called.
Psalms 46:1
Read and explain: Shaking world, glad city, present God
8 minRead the whole psalm aloud. Then trace its images in order. First, the earth, mountains and seas shake, yet the speakers say they will not fear. Next, a river brings gladness to the city of God, and God is within her and helps. Point out that the repeated line says God is with us and is our refuge.
Psalms 46:2, Psalms 46:3, Psalms 46:4, Psalms 46:5, Psalms 46:7, Psalms 46:11
Discuss: What changes in the psalm?
6 minAsk children to compare the noisy parts with the calm parts. Nations rage and kingdoms are moved, but God speaks and the earth responds. Then the psalm invites people to look at Yahweh’s works, including the ending of wars. Help children notice the movement from fearsome scenes to confidence in God’s rule.
Psalms 46:6, Psalms 46:8, Psalms 46:9, Psalms 46:10
Make and respond: Refuge picture card
7 minChildren make a small folded card with two panels. On the front, draw one image from the psalm such as stormy waters, mountains, a river, or broken weapons. Inside, copy one short line from the psalm, such as “God is our refuge and strength” or “Be still, and know that I am God”. Invite each child to explain why they chose that image.
Psalms 46:1, Psalms 46:3, Psalms 46:4, Psalms 46:9, Psalms 46:10
Closing: Say the refrain together
4 minFinish by reading verses 7 and 11 together because they repeat the same message. Explain that a repeated line in a poem helps hear the main point. End with one quiet moment after verse 10, letting the class sit still before God, then repeat the refrain once more.
Psalms 46:7, Psalms 46:10, Psalms 46:11
Questions to explore
What frightening pictures appear at the start of the psalm, and how do the speakers respond?
Look at the changing earth, shaking mountains and roaring waters, then notice the words “we won’t be afraid”.
Psalms 46:2, Psalms 46:3
Which words show that God is close to his people in this psalm?
Listen for phrases such as “very present help”, “God is within her”, and “Yahweh of Armies is with us”.
Psalms 46:1, Psalms 46:5, Psalms 46:7
What does God say in verse 10, and how does that fit the rest of the psalm?
Connect “Be still, and know that I am God” with the earlier trouble and with God being exalted on the earth.
Psalms 46:2, Psalms 46:6, Psalms 46:10
Make, think or respond
Illustrated Refuge Card
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or crayons
- markers
- Bible text of Psalm 46
Try it together
- Fold a piece of paper or card in half.
- Choose one picture from Psalm 46 to draw on the front, such as mountains, waters, a river, or broken weapons.
- Write one line from the psalm inside the card.
- Share with a partner how your picture and verse belong together.
The card helps children respond to the poem’s own images and words of trust in God.
Adapt for your group
- For ages 6 to 7, offer two verse choices to copy, such as Psalms 46:1 or Psalms 46:10, and draw the chosen image together first.
- For ages 9 to 10, ask children to sort the psalm into three parts: trouble, God’s presence, and God’s rule, then match verses to each part.
An optional closing prayer
Suggested prayer: “God, you are our refuge and strength. When things feel noisy or frightening, help us remember that you are with us. Teach us to be still and know that you are God.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;
3 though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High.
5 God is within her. She shall not be moved. God will help her at dawn.
6 The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. He lifted his voice and the earth melted.
7 Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, see Yahweh’s works, what desolations he has made on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted on the earth.”
11 Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.