Single lesson
Psalm 5: Give Ear to My Words
Psalms 5:1–12
Psalm 5 is a prayer-song that moves from asking Yahweh to hear, to asking for guidance, and then to confidence that he blesses those who take refuge in him.
Before you teach
In this passage, the speaker prays to Yahweh in the morning and waits expectantly. The psalm contrasts Yahweh’s rejection of wickedness, lies, and deceit with the speaker’s reverent approach to God because of his loving kindness, and with the joy of those who take refuge in him.
Describe the central teaching of Psalm 5: Give Ear to My Words, using two details from the reading. Psalm 5 teaches that prayer to Yahweh includes trust that he hears, leads, and blesses those who take refuge in him.
Welcome: Psalm 5: Give Ear to My Words
4 minIntroduce “Give Ear to My Words” and locate Psalms 5:1–12. Psalm 5 teaches that prayer to Yahweh includes trust that he hears, leads, and blesses those who take refuge in him. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Psalms 5:1, Psalms 5:7, Psalms 5:12
Read and explain the passage
8 minThe psalm opens with direct requests: “Give ear”, “consider”, and “listen”. The speaker calls Yahweh “my King and my God”, showing honour and dependence. He prays in the morning, lays out his requests before Yahweh, and then watches expectantly instead of speaking as though prayer is empty or unnoticed.
In contrast to the wicked, the speaker comes into God’s house because of God’s abundant loving kindness and bows in reverence toward God’s holy temple. Then the prayer turns to guidance: “Lead me” and “Make your way straight before my face”. The request is practical, asking Yahweh to direct the path ahead.
The enemies are described as unfaithful, destructive, and flattering with their tongues. The prayer asks God to hold them guilty because they have rebelled against him. By contrast, those who take refuge in Yahweh rejoice. He defends them, blesses the righteous, and surrounds them with favour like a shield.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Give Ear to My Words”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Psalms 5:1, Psalms 5:2, Psalms 5:3, Psalms 5:7, Psalms 5:8, Psalms 5:9, Psalms 5:10, Psalms 5:11, Psalms 5:12
Discuss the details and their meaning
6 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What words show the speaker expects Yahweh to hear his prayer?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Psalm 5 teaches that prayer to Yahweh includes trust that he hears, leads, and blesses those who take refuge in him. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Psalms 5:1, Psalms 5:2, Psalms 5:3, Psalms 5:4, Psalms 5:5, Psalms 5:6, Psalms 5:10, Psalms 5:11, Psalms 5:12
Make and respond: Words and images response sheet
9 minWork on “Psalm 5: Give Ear to My Words: Words and images response sheet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Give Ear to My Words” 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 5:1, Psalms 5:7, Psalms 5:12
Closing: return to Give Ear to My Words
3 minRevisit Psalms 5:1–12. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Give Ear to My Words 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 5:1, Psalms 5:7, Psalms 5:12
Questions to explore
What words show the speaker expects Yahweh to hear his prayer?
Notice the repeated requests to hear, the words “I pray to you”, and the statement that he will watch expectantly.
Psalms 5:1, Psalms 5:2, Psalms 5:3
Which actions and attitudes does this psalm say Yahweh opposes?
Use the exact descriptions given in the passage, such as arrogance, iniquity, lies, bloodthirstiness, and deceit.
Psalms 5:4, Psalms 5:5, Psalms 5:6
How does the ending contrast rebels with those who take refuge in Yahweh?
Compare being held guilty for rebellion with rejoicing, defence, blessing, and favour like a shield.
Psalms 5:10, Psalms 5:11, Psalms 5:12
Make, think or respond
Psalm 5: Give Ear to My Words: 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 5:1–12. Use “Give Ear to My Words” 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 5: Give Ear to My Words 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 Give Ear to My Words as the retelling prompt.
- For older children, add verse references to the response sheet and explain a connection between Give Ear to My Words and the final part of the reading.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Psalms 5:1–12. 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 5
1 Give ear to my words, Yahweh. Consider my meditation.
2 Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for I pray to you.
3 Yahweh, in the morning you will hear my voice. In the morning I will lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly.
4 For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil can’t live with you.
5 The arrogant will not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity.
6 You will destroy those who speak lies. Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
7 But as for me, in the abundance of your loving kindness I will come into your house. I will bow toward your holy temple in reverence of you.
8 Lead me, Yahweh, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before my face.
9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth. Their heart is destruction. Their throat is an open tomb. They flatter with their tongue.
10 Hold them guilty, God. Let them fall by their own counsels. Thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions, for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Let them also who love your name be joyful in you.
12 For you will bless the righteous. Yahweh, you will surround him with favor as with a shield.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.