Homeschool Moms Teach the Psalms (8-14)Sample

Psalm 9: Fear or Trust?

When my kids were all young I lived in fear over who they played with, how they might get sick or hurt, or what influences were in their life. I feared I was not enough for the responsibility of their education. That kind of fear can be paralyzing. As moms, there is a healthy concern over our children, but it can often be taken to places of fearful anxiety. Memorizing Psalm 9:10 and Proverbs 9:10 was the turning point for me to go from fear to trust.

Psalm 9:10 taught me that if I knew His Name, I would trust Him, as He would not forsake me. 

“And those who know Your Name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”

Proverbs 9:10 taught me to fear the LORD instead of man and in doing so I would gain wisdom:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

The rest of Psalm 9 tells us why we can and should sing praises to His name:

• Our enemies are vanquished (verses 3, 16, 17)
• The Lord judges righteously (verses 4-6, 12, 15, 16-19)
• He rules forever in justice and righteousness (verses 7-8)
• He sees the afflicted, oppressed, and those who seek Him (verses 9, 12-13, 18) 
• He lifts from death and gives salvation (verses 13-14) 

The last verse (20) may give us insight regarding the nations we live in today. They are all ruled by mere men, and we pray they will learn to fear the Lord. “Put them in fear, O Lord! Let the nations know that they are but men!”

To Do with the Kids:

Read Psalm 9 together. Take your kids on a treasure hunt. Find and highlight in blue at least four things this psalm says about the Lord. Find and highlight in yellow at least four things it says about the wicked. Find and highlight in green the four “I will’s.” Did they learn something new? Help them write it in their Bible. Remind them (and yourself) that God is above all men and they need not fear any enemy. Memorize Psalm 9:10: “And those who know Your Name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” When you’ve all memorized it, celebrate together with a reward.