Psalms for Kids to Memorize, Five Short Ones

Psalms for kids to memorize can be short, and five of them are a good place to begin. Psalm 23, Psalm 1, Psalm 100, Psalm 117 and Psalm 121 are brief enough for a child to learn over a few weeks, one line a day, at the end of family worship.

The Psalms were written to be sung and remembered. Five short ones follow, with a simple way to teach them and a word about the One they point to, Christ, the Shepherd and King they describe.

Why memorize the Psalms

The psalmist says, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). A verse a child knows by heart is there for them on a hard day, at school, in a quiet moment or in the night. The Psalms also teach us how to speak to God, and they give words to joy, fear, sorrow and trust.

Five short Psalms for kids to memorize

Psalm 23, the Lord is my shepherd

Begin with the first verse, “Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1). Children understand the picture of a shepherd and his sheep, and the Psalm ends with the promise that “Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever” (Psalm 23:6).

Psalm 1, the two ways

“Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked” is how the Psalm opens, and it goes on to describe the one whose “delight is in Yahweh’s law” (Psalm 1:1 to 2). It is short and clear, and it gives a child a picture of what it means to love God's Word.

Psalm 100, a psalm of thanksgiving

“Shout for joy to Yahweh, all you lands! Serve Yahweh with gladness. Come before his presence with singing” (Psalm 100:1 to 2). It suits a family that sings together.

Psalm 117, the shortest Psalm

It has only two verses. “Praise Yahweh, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples! For his loving kindness is great toward us. Yahweh’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise Yah!” (Psalm 117:1 to 2). Even a young child can learn it in a few days.

Psalm 121, my help comes from the Lord

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from Yahweh, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1 to 2). It teaches a child to look to the Lord when they are afraid or in need.

One line a day

Choose one Psalm and learn it a line at a time. On the first day say the first line aloud and let the children say it back. On the second day repeat the first line and add the second. Carry on until the Psalm is done, and then say the whole thing together at the end of devotions for a week. You can also sing the Psalms, and the hymn library has hymns drawn from several of them.

Christ in the Psalms

After His resurrection, Jesus said, “all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44). The Shepherd of Psalm 23 is the Lord Jesus, who said, “I am the good shepherd,” and who gave His life for the sheep (John 10:11). Psalm 22 begins with words Jesus cried from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). So when your children learn the Psalms, you can tell them that these words speak of the Saviour, who died for sinners and rose again.

Call your children, kindly, to turn from sin and trust in Him. Do not take it for granted that a child who recites a Psalm loves the Lord. Memorized words can sit on the lips while the heart is far away, and only God can give a new heart, so keep asking Him for it.

Pick a Psalm tonight and say its first line with your family. After the Psalm, read a chapter of a Gospel, such as the session for Mark chapter 1, and browse the hymn library for hymns that put the Psalms into song. If you would like to help other families do the same, you can give here. May God's Word be hidden in the hearts of your children.