Psalm 85 6

Psalm 85:6 kjv

Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

Psalm 85:6 nkjv

Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?

Psalm 85:6 niv

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

Psalm 85:6 esv

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

Psalm 85:6 nlt

Won't you revive us again,
so your people can rejoice in you?

Psalm 85 verses

Psalm 85 6 Meaning

Psalm 85:6 is an impassioned plea to God for spiritual renewal and national restoration. It expresses a deep longing for divine intervention to rekindle the life and joy within His people, understanding that true rejoicing is rooted solely in Him and flows from His life-giving presence. This verse captures the heart of a community seeking revival after a period of spiritual decline or distress, recognizing God as the ultimate source of all life and gladness.

Psalm 85 6 Context

Psalm 85 is a post-exilic psalm, believed to be composed after the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity, as evident from verses like "You have restored the fortunes of Jacob" (v. 1). The psalmist acknowledges God's past mercies in bringing His people back to their land. However, the nation continues to experience difficulties, possibly natural disasters, ongoing foreign threats, or perhaps a lack of spiritual fervor. The psalm functions as a community lament and prayer, intertwining a remembrance of God's previous deliverances (vv. 1-3) with a heartfelt petition for renewed favor and deliverance from current distress (vv. 4-7). Verse 6 specifically articulates the core desire for spiritual revival, leading into a confident declaration of God's promise for salvation, truth, righteousness, and peace in the future (vv. 8-13). It represents a communal longing for God to act, not just in external circumstances, but in the very spiritual core of His people, making their inner lives vibrant again so they can properly respond to Him with joy.

Psalm 85 6 Word analysis

• Will you not: (הֲלֹא - ha-lo’) This is an interrogative particle often carrying a strong emotional appeal or rhetorical force. It’s not a mere question asking for information, but a pleading, expectant rhetorical question implying "Surely you will!" or "Oh, that You would!" It highlights the psalmist’s earnest desire and persistent hope in God’s character and past actions. This expression underscores the dependency on divine initiative.
• revive: (חָיָה - ḥāyāh) This significant Hebrew verb means "to live," "to quicken," "to bring back to life," or "to preserve life." Here, it signifies a spiritual reanimation or renewal. It implies that the people are in a state of spiritual languishing, apathy, or even death, and they yearn for God to breathe life into them again. This is not just a return to a former state but an infusing of divine vitality.
• us again: The "us" refers to the covenant people of God, implying a collective experience of spiritual need. The term "again" (בָּשׁוּב - bašûḇ - often implying "in returning," thus "renewed," or "again") suggests that the people have experienced God's quickening power before, perhaps during earlier times of faithfulness or through specific acts of deliverance. Their present state contrasts sharply with that previous vitality, intensifying the plea for a renewed manifestation of God's life-giving presence.
• that your people: (וְעַמְּךָ - wəʿamməḵā) Emphasizes the covenant relationship. This plea comes from a people who belong to God, underscoring their unique position and expectation of His mercy and action. It highlights the corporate nature of the desired revival – it is for the entire community of faith.
• may rejoice: (גִּיל - gîl) This verb signifies a deep, overflowing joy, often accompanied by singing or shouting. It speaks of exultation, delight, and gladness. This is not superficial happiness but profound spiritual joy.
• in you: (בָךְ - bakh) Crucially, the rejoicing is directed in or because of God Himself, not merely in the benefits or circumstances revival brings. This demonstrates a mature understanding that God is the source and object of their ultimate delight. True, lasting joy is found only in a restored relationship with and profound experience of God's presence and character. This preposition highlights the divine focus and purpose of the longed-for revival.

Psalm 85 6 Bonus section

The Hebrew word ḥāyāh (revive) has strong connotations of resurrection or bringing the dead to life, often used for physical revival as well (e.g., in stories of Elijah and Elisha). Applying this term to spiritual renewal in Psalm 85:6 emphasizes the dire spiritual state of the people, requiring a radical, life-giving act from God comparable to raising from the dead. It’s a plea for a sovereign work of grace, not a self-help endeavor. Furthermore, this longing for revival aligns with the prophetic expectations of a restored Israel, where God would once again pour out His Spirit, giving new hearts and putting His laws within them, as promised in Jeremiah and Ezekiel. This divine quickening is also foreshadowed in the covenant renewal ceremonies throughout Israel's history, where the people recommitted to God and often experienced fresh waves of His blessing and presence.

Psalm 85 6 Commentary

Psalm 85:6 serves as a timeless cry for spiritual renewal, echoing the heart of a people who have experienced divine favor yet now sense a spiritual drought. The rhetorical question, "Will You not revive us again?" is pregnant with both humble supplication and confident expectation, stemming from a remembrance of God's past mercies. It acknowledges that spiritual life, corporate joy, and vibrant faith are not human achievements but direct, sovereign interventions of God. The "again" implies a memory of former spiritual vitality, a golden age of sorts, that the current generation desperately desires to experience once more.

The core purpose of this sought-after revival is unequivocally stated: "that Your people may rejoice in You." This clarifies that true revival is not an end in itself for mere emotional fervor or worldly gain, but for the deepening of an authentic relationship with the Living God. The joy mentioned is not fleeting happiness from circumstances but an enduring delight derived from God's presence, His character, and His saving work. When God revives, He breathes His Spirit anew into His people, restoring their affections for Him, bringing repentance for sin, and rekindling their zeal for His glory. This internal transformation leads to an outward manifestation of joyful obedience and a powerful witness to the world. The verse underscores the divine initiative in any genuine spiritual awakening, as humans cannot produce such deep and lasting spiritual life themselves.

Examples:

• A believer whose spiritual passion has cooled praying this verse for a renewed hunger for God's Word and prayer.
• A church experiencing apathy praying this for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit leading to repentance and evangelistic zeal.
• A nation acknowledging its moral decline crying out to God for a national spiritual awakening and turning back to Him.