Praises to God
Bringing the Songbook of the Bible Home
From Conflict to Worship
Think of this section as your roadmap for the week. In our recent lesson, we saw the tragic end of the conflict between King David and his son, Absalom. Absalom was a proud man who allowed sin to grow in his heart, refusing to repent or seek God's forgiveness. This pride led to his downfall during a great battle where he was caught in a tree and killed by Joab and his men.
When you sit down with your kids, help them understand that while David was heartbroken over the death of his son, he returned to Jerusalem to continue his work as king. Beyond being a warrior and a ruler, David was a gifted musician who played the lyre. From his deep relationship with God and his musical talent, we received much of the Book of Psalms.
What is the Book of Psalms?
Located right in the middle of the Bible, the Book of Psalms is a collection of 150 prayers and songs. It served as the official "songbook" for the Israelite people, teaching them how to worship God with their own words.
- Moses
- Asaph
- Solomon
Types of Psalms
As a family discipleship coach, I want to help you see that the Psalms give our children a vocabulary for every emotion they feel. Here are three specific types of psalms we explored:
Psalms of Praise
- Trumpet
- Lute
- Harp
- Tambourine
- Strings
- Pipes
- Cymbals
The ultimate command in this section is that "everything that has breath" should praise the Lord.
Psalms of Thanksgiving
Psalms of thanksgiving, like Psalm 136, focus on what God has done. These songs help us look back at the past so we can have a thankful heart today. As you read this psalm with your children, look for the repeating theme: His "everlasting lovingkindness" endures forever. Teaching our kids to remember God's past help is the best way to build their faith for the future.
Psalms of Lament
To lament means to cry out to God and ask why something is happening during a time of trouble. This is perhaps the most moving part of David’s story. David wrote Psalm 3 while he was fleeing for his life. His "foes" weren't just random enemies; he was actually running from his own son, Absalom. Even in this deep family tragedy, David cried out to the Lord, and God answered him from His holy mountain. These psalms remind our children that they can turn to God when they are scared or hurting.
Dinner Table Talk
- Who are some people besides David who wrote the Psalms? (Answer: Moses, Asaph, and Solomon.)
- If you play an instrument, how can you use it to worship God?
- Why is it important to remember what God has done for us in the past?
Home Worship Challenge
Read Psalm 150 together as a family. After you finish, go on a "Breath Hunt" through your house. Identify every living thing that has breath—this could be the family dog, a goldfish, your siblings, or even the plants!
The Challenge: For every "breathing" thing you find, name one reason why that person or creature should be praising the Lord today. Remind your kids: "If you're breathing, you have a reason to praise!"
Parental Encouragement: Why This Matters
It is no coincidence that the Book of Psalms is the largest book in the entire Bible. This tells us that praising, thanking, and even crying out to God is vital to Him—and it should be vital to us, too.
These ancient songs teach our children that God is interested in their whole hearts. Whether they are feeling happy (Praise), grateful (Thanksgiving), or are facing a scary "son-of-Absalom" kind of trouble (Lament), they have a songbook to guide them. By practicing these psalms at home, you are showing your children that in every season of life, God is listening and is worthy of our worship.