Psalms 35
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
It was evening. The sun was going down behind the hills.
A man named David sat all alone on a stone. His knees were pulled up. His hands were folded tight.
David was sad. Very sad.
Because there were people who did not like David. They said mean things about him. They pointed at him. They laughed when he walked by. "Aha!" they said. "Aha!"
And David had never done anything bad to them. Never.
When one of them was sick, David had been sad for him. David had sat by his bed. David had prayed for him. Like you do for a friend.
But now they laughed at David.
David felt small. He felt like a little bird when a big cat comes. He felt alone.
So David did something. He looked up. Up at the big dark sky.
And he began to talk. Out loud.
"God," said David. "Do You see me? Please look. Please come."
What Does This Mean?
David told God everything. Everything.
He said: God, they are mean to me. God, they laugh. God, my tummy hurts from being sad.
David did not use nice, tidy words. He just said it. All of it.
And listen to what David asked. He asked God to be like a soldier. A big, strong soldier with a shield.
A shield is a big round thing. You hold it in front of you. Then nothing can hurt you.
David asked: God, stand in front of me. Hold Your shield. Fight for me.
And then David said the most beautiful thing of all. He asked God to whisper something to him. Just three little words.
"I am your salvation."
That means: I am here. I will help you. I will keep you safe.
The Common Thread
God heard David. God always hears.
God is stronger than the strongest bully. God is bigger than the biggest sad feeling. Nobody is as strong as God. Nobody.
Long, long after David, Someone else came. His name is Jesus.
People laughed at Jesus too. They said mean things. They pointed at Him. Jesus knows exactly how David felt.
And Jesus knows exactly how you feel. He never forgets you.
For You
Do you know what happened with David?
David got up off his stone. And he sang.
He sang loud, because God was listening. He said thank You, God. Thank You that You see me. Thank You that You come.
You may do that too.
When someone laughs at you. When you feel all alone. When your tummy hurts from sad.
You can look up. And say it out loud. Just like David.
God, do You see me? Please come.
And God comes. Always.
Talk About It
When was the last time you felt sad or alone? What happened?
What would you like to tell God today, out loud, just like David did?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Sometimes I feel small.
Sometimes people are not nice.
Will You see me, God?
Will You come and stand in front of me?
Thank You that You hear me.
Amen.
Questions about Psalms 35
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Psalms 35 about?
What does Psalms 35 say?
What does Psalms 35 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Psalms 35?
Why is Psalms 35 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Digging a pit takes work. Someone sweats over it, hides it, waits. And David says twice, "without cause." No offense to explain it, no debt to settle. If you have ever been hated for nothing, you know how that scrambles your mind looking for a reason. There may not be one. But God saw who held the shovel.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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