Psalms 36
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
It was early morning. The sun was just coming up.
David sat outside on a big stone. He was quiet. He was thinking.
David thought about something sad first. Some people do not listen to God. They say mean words. They think up naughty plans at night, in their bed. And they do not want to stop. They think they are very good, all by themselves. David sighed. That made him sad.
But then David looked up.
He saw the sky. It was so high. Higher than the trees. Higher than the birds.
And David said: "God, You are kind. Your kindness is that big! As big as the whole sky!"
David looked around him some more.
He saw mountains. Big, strong, tall mountains. God made those. God is strong like that.
He saw the deep, deep sea. So deep you cannot see the bottom.
He saw a little donkey eating grass. And a sparrow. And a cow. God takes care of them all. Of every animal. And of every person too.
What Does This Mean?
Then David saw something small and sweet.
A mother bird. She sat very still on her nest. And under her wings, warm and safe, sat her little baby birds. You could hardly see them. Just one tiny beak, peeking out.
Nobody could get them. Not the rain. Not the wind. Not anything.
David smiled. And he said: "God, that is what You do with me. I hide with You. Like a little bird under Your wings. Warm. Safe. Close by."
The Common Thread
David heard water. Tsjjj, tsjjj.
It was a spring. Cool water, bubbling out of the ground. It never stops. It just keeps coming and coming.
David knelt down. He cupped his hands. He drank.
The water was cold and good. David drank until he was not thirsty anymore.
"God," he said, "You are like this water. With You I am never thirsty. With You I am full and glad."
And the sun came all the way up. The light shone on David's face. Warm.
Long, long after David, Jesus came. Jesus said: "Come to Me. I will give you water." And Jesus said: "I am the light."
So everything David sang about, Jesus brought.
For You
Do you know what you can do?
You can hide with God. Just like a little bird.
You cannot really see God's wings. But you can say: "God, I am hiding with You now." And then He holds you close. When it is dark. When you are scared. When you have a tummy ache.
God is kind. As big as the sky, He is kind.
And He has room for you.
Talk About It
Where do you like to hide when you feel scared?
What is the biggest thing you know? Is God's kindness even bigger?
Praying Together
Dear God,
You are kind. So very kind.
I want to hide with You, like a little bird.
Hold me close. Keep me safe.
Thank You for water to drink.
Thank You for the sun.
Amen.
Questions about Psalms 36
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Psalms 36 about?
What does Psalms 36 say?
What does Psalms 36 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Psalms 36?
Why is Psalms 36 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
For with you is the fountain of life. In your light shall we see light."
Notice it says fountain, not reservoir. A reservoir holds what was poured in once. A fountain keeps rising, keeps giving, never asks you to ration.
And light seen only in his light. You cannot understand your own life from inside your own thinking. Step into his brightness first, then look at what troubles you. Same problem, different colors entirely.
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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