Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.
Are you looking for a great children’s devotional Bible? I’ve been reading a beautiful daily devotional book with my children called Psalms for my Day.
Reading the Psalms is a great way to teach your children about who God is and how to worship Him with their whole hearts.
Psalms for my Day, published by Christian Focus, includes the following three parts for each daily reading:
- 1. a themed Bible selection from the book of Psalms
- 2. an age-appropriate explanation about the Bible selection
- 3. a prayer for your child to say at the end
This devotional was a great addition to our family Bible time for my elementary-aged children.
Alec Motyer’s Bible Translation
“There is no more practical way of helping the child of God to become true than to immerse ourselves in the Psalms.”
Alec Motyer, A Christian’s Pocket Guide to Loving the Old Testament
Psalms for my Day uses a Bible translation by Alec Motyer. He has studied the original Hebrew words and what they really mean in order to translate the Bible. Also, he uses the Hebrew name, “Yahweh,” for God.
Because I was unfamiliar with this translation, it did take some time for me to get used to the wording.
For example, in Psalm 23, the NIV Bible translation says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” Whereas, Alec Motyer’s version of the same passage says, “In pastures of fresh grass he makes me lie.”
Motyer’s translation does paint a more vivid picture of that passage though, doesn’t it? Even though the wording was a bit awkward, I could easily imagine the pastures of “fresh grass.”
Devotional by Carine MacKenzie
“Have you ever looked up to the sky on a clear starry night? When David wrote Psalm 8 he was looking at the night sky and worshipping God, its creator.”
Carine MacKenzie, Psalms for My Day devotional excerpt
Carine MacKenzie has done a phenomenal job of explaining the selections from the book of Psalms on a level children can understand. She explains who God is and how we should relate to Him.
In this devotional, MacKenzie tackles many topics including worship, sin, salvation through Jesus, the many characteristics of our loving God, and our relationship with Him.
She also addresses the difficult times David went through as he cries out for God’s help in the Psalms, and relates this to how God can also help us when we walk through difficulties.
My children are learning, but I’m also being blessed by MacKenzie’s insights as we read together.
Prayer
“Prayer: Lord, you are worthy of all praise. You are my maker, my Shepherd, my Rock and my King. I want to worship you.”
Psalms for my Day devotional prayer
Each daily devotional includes a brief prayer at the end that you can say with your children.
It’s the perfect length for small children to repeat or older children to read out loud, and it also reinforces what they have learned.
Illustrations by Catherine Pape
The beautiful illustrations in Psalms for my Day are probably my favorite thing about this devotional. The paintings by Catherine Pape are bright and colorful, with beautiful natural settings and vivid depictions of Bible themes.
Not only is her art beautiful, but Pape did a great job visually reinforcing the topics presented in the scriptures.
There’s also a great amount of variety in the types of illustrations throughout the book, which will keep your children engaged as you read each day.
Take a Look Inside
Visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read what other homeschoolers are saying about Psalms for my Day.
I loved reviewing Psalms for my Day. If you click on the image above, you’ll find more reviews from actual homeschool families like mine that have also tried out this beautiful children’s devotional.
