Single lesson
Psalm 9: I Will Give Thanks to the LORD
Psalms 9:1–20
Psalm 9 is a song of thanks that moves into prayer. It praises Yahweh for justice, calls others to sing, and asks for mercy while holding on to hope for afflicted and needy people.
Before you teach
In this passage, the singer speaks directly to Yahweh about his marvellous works, righteous judgment and help for oppressed people. The psalm invites public praise among the peoples, then turns to a personal request for mercy and ends with a plea for the nations to be judged before Yahweh.
Describe the central teaching of Psalm 9: I Will Give Thanks to the LORD, using two details from the reading. Psalm 9 teaches that Yahweh is praised for righteous judgment, trusted in trouble, and asked to make the nations recognise their limits.
Welcome: Psalm 9: I Will Give Thanks to the LORD
4 minIntroduce “I Will Give Thanks to the LORD” and locate Psalms 9:1–20. Psalm 9 teaches that Yahweh is praised for righteous judgment, trusted in trouble, and asked to make the nations recognise their limits. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Psalms 9:1, Psalms 9:11, Psalms 9:20
Read and explain the passage
8 minThe psalm opens with deliberate praise. The singer gives thanks with a whole heart, tells of Yahweh’s marvellous works, rejoices in him and sings praise to his name. Yahweh is addressed as the Most High, so the song begins with worship centred on who he is and what he has done.
Yahweh is described as a high tower for the oppressed in times of trouble. Those who know his name put their trust in him because he does not forsake those who seek him. Therefore the psalm calls people to sing praises in Zion and declare what Yahweh has done among the peoples.
The closing lines say the nations fall into their own pit and net, and Yahweh makes himself known by executing judgment. The wicked are turned back, but the needy are not always forgotten and the poor do not lose hope forever. The psalm ends by asking Yahweh to judge the nations and show they are only men.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “I Will Give Thanks to the LORD”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Psalms 9:1, Psalms 9:2, Psalms 9:9, Psalms 9:10, Psalms 9:11, Psalms 9:15, Psalms 9:16, Psalms 9:17, Psalms 9:18, Psalms 9:19, Psalms 9:20
Discuss the details and their meaning
6 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What actions of praise are named at the start of this psalm?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Psalm 9 teaches that Yahweh is praised for righteous judgment, trusted in trouble, and asked to make the nations recognise their limits. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Psalms 9:1, Psalms 9:2, Psalms 9:9, Psalms 9:10, Psalms 9:12, Psalms 9:13, Psalms 9:19, Psalms 9:20
Make and respond: Words and images response sheet
9 minWork on “Psalm 9: I Will Give Thanks to the LORD: Words and images response sheet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “I Will Give Thanks to the LORD” 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 9:1, Psalms 9:11, Psalms 9:20
Closing: return to I Will Give Thanks to the LORD
3 minRevisit Psalms 9:1–20. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about I Will Give Thanks to the LORD 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 9:1, Psalms 9:11, Psalms 9:20
Questions to explore
What actions of praise are named at the start of this psalm?
List the verbs in the opening verses and notice that they are directed to Yahweh and his marvellous works.
Psalms 9:1, Psalms 9:2
How does the psalm describe Yahweh’s care for people in trouble?
Look for the words about a high tower, not forsaking those who seek him, remembering the afflicted, and seeing present affliction.
Psalms 9:9, Psalms 9:10, Psalms 9:12, Psalms 9:13
What does the ending ask the nations to learn about themselves?
Read the final prayer carefully and notice the request that they be judged in Yahweh’s sight and know that they are only men.
Psalms 9:19, Psalms 9:20
Make, think or respond
Psalm 9: I Will Give Thanks to the LORD: 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 9:1–20. Use “I Will Give Thanks to the LORD” 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 9: I Will Give Thanks to the LORD 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 I Will Give Thanks to the LORD as the retelling prompt.
- For older children, add verse references to the response sheet and explain a connection between I Will Give Thanks to the LORD and the final part of the reading.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Psalms 9:1–20. 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 9
1 I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart. I will tell of all your marvelous works.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3 When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish in your presence.
4 For you have maintained my just cause. You sit on the throne judging righteously.
5 You have rebuked the nations. You have destroyed the wicked. You have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6 The enemy is overtaken by endless ruin. The very memory of the cities which you have overthrown has perished.
7 But Yahweh reigns forever. He has prepared his throne for judgment.
8 He will judge the world in righteousness. He will administer judgment to the peoples in uprightness.
9 Yahweh will also be a high tower for the oppressed; a high tower in times of trouble.
10 Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek you.
11 Sing praises to Yahweh, who dwells in Zion, and declare among the people what he has done.
12 For he who avenges blood remembers them. He doesn’t forget the cry of the afflicted.
13 Have mercy on me, Yahweh. See my affliction by those who hate me, and lift me up from the gates of death,
14 that I may show all of your praise. I will rejoice in your salvation in the gates of the daughter of Zion.
15 The nations have sunk down in the pit that they made. In the net which they hid, their own foot is taken.
16 Yahweh has made himself known. He has executed judgment. The wicked is snared by the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah.
17 The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God.
18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever.
19 Arise, Yahweh! Don’t let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in your sight.
20 Put them in fear, Yahweh. Let the nations know that they are only men. Selah.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.