Single lesson
Psalm 99: The LORD Reigns!
Psalms 99:1–9
Psalm 99 is a praise poem about Yahweh as King. Children will listen for repeated lines, strong pictures, and the way the speaker talks both about Yahweh and directly to Yahweh.
Before you teach
In Psalm 99, the speaker calls peoples to respond because Yahweh reigns, says Yahweh loves justice, recalls Moses, Aaron and Samuel calling on him, and ends by calling everyone to exalt and worship Yahweh because he is holy.
Students will identify the speaker’s shifts in address, the main images, and the movement of Psalm 99, and explain that the psalm praises Yahweh as reigning, just, answering, and holy.
Welcome: Hear the repeated lines
5 minTell the children they will hear a praise poem. Read Psalm 99:1–9 aloud slowly. Ask them to listen for repeated words and repeated commands. Write down answers such as “He is Holy!”, “Exalt”, and “Worship”. Explain that repeated lines help us notice the poem’s main message.
Psalms 99:3, Psalms 99:5, Psalms 99:9
Read and explain: Who is speaking, and who is being addressed?
6 minRead verses 1 to 4. Show that the psalm’s speaker sometimes talks about Yahweh, saying “Yahweh reigns” and “Yahweh is great”, and sometimes speaks directly to Yahweh, saying “your great and awesome name” and “You establish equity”. Help children notice this shift in address as part of the poem’s praise.
Psalms 99:1, Psalms 99:2, Psalms 99:3, Psalms 99:4
Discuss the pictures: King, throne, cherubim, footstool, holy hill
7 minRead verses 1 to 5 and 9 again. Explain simple picture words from the psalm: Yahweh reigns as King, sits enthroned among the cherubim, and is worshipped at his footstool and holy hill. Ask what these images show. Guide children to see greatness, rule, nearness for worship, and holiness.
Psalms 99:1, Psalms 99:4, Psalms 99:5, Psalms 99:9
Make and respond: Answering God card
8 minRead verses 6 to 8. Explain that Moses, Aaron and Samuel called on Yahweh, and he answered them. The psalm also says Yahweh forgave them and dealt with their wrong actions. Children make a card with one line from the psalm and one matching picture, then add one sentence about what the line teaches.
Psalms 99:6, Psalms 99:7, Psalms 99:8
Closing: Follow the psalm’s movement
4 minFinish by reading verse 9 together. Ask the group to say the poem’s movement in order: Yahweh reigns, Yahweh loves justice, Yahweh answered those who called, and Yahweh is holy. End by noticing that the psalm begins with the peoples and ends with worship of Yahweh our God.
Psalms 99:1, Psalms 99:4, Psalms 99:6, Psalms 99:9
Questions to explore
Where does the speaker talk about Yahweh, and where does the speaker talk directly to Yahweh?
Look for “Yahweh reigns” and “Yahweh is great” when speaking about him, and “your great and awesome name” or “You establish equity” when speaking to him.
Psalms 99:1, Psalms 99:2, Psalms 99:3, Psalms 99:4
What pictures in the psalm help you understand Yahweh’s rule and holiness?
Notice the throne, the cherubim, the footstool, and the holy hill, and connect each picture to what the poem says about Yahweh.
Psalms 99:1, Psalms 99:5, Psalms 99:9
What does verse 8 say Yahweh did when these people called on him?
Stay close to the verse: it says Yahweh answered them, forgave them, and also dealt with their wrong actions.
Psalms 99:6, Psalms 99:8
Make, think or respond
Illustrated Psalm 99 Prayer Card
What you’ll need
- Paper or card
- Pencils
- Coloured pencils or markers
- Bible text of Psalm 99:1–9
Try it together
- Choose one short line from Psalm 99, such as “Yahweh reigns”, “He is Holy!”, or “You answered them”.
- Write the line clearly on your card.
- Draw one picture from the psalm that matches the line, such as a throne, cloud, hill, or people worshipping.
- Add one sentence saying what your line teaches about Yahweh in this psalm.
- Share your card and read your line aloud to the group.
This activity helps children connect the poem’s words, images, and shifts in address with its message that Yahweh reigns, answers, and is holy.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer three short verse choices to copy and invite a simple matching drawing.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to include one example of speaking about Yahweh and one example of speaking directly to Yahweh on their card.
An optional closing prayer
Proposed words: Yahweh our God, thank you that you reign, love justice, answer, and are holy. Please help us notice your words carefully and worship you with respect. Amen.
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 99
1 Yahweh reigns! Let the peoples tremble. He sits enthroned among the cherubim. Let the earth be moved.
2 Yahweh is great in Zion. He is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name. He is Holy!
4 The King’s strength also loves justice. You establish equity. You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt Yahweh our God. Worship at his footstool. He is Holy!
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who call on his name. They called on Yahweh, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud. They kept his testimonies, the statute that he gave them.
8 You answered them, Yahweh our God. You are a God who forgave them, although you took vengeance for their doings.
9 Exalt Yahweh, our God. Worship at his holy hill, for Yahweh, our God, is holy!
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.