Psalm 23 for Toddlers

Artwork: Sheila Hamil

Psalm 23 is the most famous of all the psalms.

It is said to be written by David who was himself, a shepherd and singer of songs.

Its language would have been readily understood by the people of that time. The psalm is all about journeying with God and being at home in and with him.

It is a psalm often used at weddings and funerals today because it speaks of God’s love and care for his people.

It speaks to our fears, and how to enter any ‘Valley of Shadows’ with courage knowing God is at our side.

It also speaks of the true peace we can find not in running from or wrestling with our troubles, but in ‘nestling’ i.e. finding our strength in God’s faithful presence.

It speaks of a Good Shepherd who will one day bring us home.

Literacy:

Read Matthew 18. 10-14 then write your own story entitled the Lost Sheep. (Why not be the lost sheep yourself?)

Try and illustrate it too?

Artwork:

Attempt one of these titles taken from words or phrases in the psalm.

Still Waters (see picture above)
The Valley of the Shadows
Shepherd with rod and staff.
(In those days a shepherd would clash together his rod and staff to scare a wolf or bear away from his sheep.)

Find also on the Homepage of this website a song called ‘May Your Blessing be upon Them’ by clicking onto Music page, then onto the CD ‘If I Have Not Love I Am Nothing’.

Press download at the bottom of the Lyrics page.

This is a prayer song, which would lend itself beautifully to a dance.

Or it could be the background to intercessory prayer, or a simple meditation where we imagine someone in our minds that we’re concerned about,

and we simply offer them to Jesus who takes them by the hand and walks with them through this version of Psalm 23.

34 Psalm 23 for Toddlers:

adapted from Psalm 23

(to the tune ‘Head and Shoulders’)

The Lord’s my Shepherd; He leads me,

by still waters, pastures green.

He’ll rescue me if ever I should stray,

and walk beside me every day.

The Lord’s my Shepherd; He is near.

There’s no need for me to fear.

I know that I will never be alone,

and one day He will lead me home.

The Lord’s my Shepherd; He is good.

Protects me as a shepherd should.

Goodness, mercy all will follow me

I’ll live with him eternally