Psalms 80:18 · Bible study
Psalms 80:18 Commentary: Revive Us and We Will Call on Your Name
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Examine the connection between divine renewal and human response in Psalm 80:18. Is this a conditional promise or the natural fruit of revival?
Research Summary
- Meaning: This verse ties God’s reviving action to the people’s pledge not to abandon Him and to call on His name.
- Key words: Revive (quicken, restore to life), turn away (apostatize), call on your name (worship, invoke).
- Main debate: Whether the verse expresses a conditional promise (if You revive us, then we will obey) or a statement of the natural consequence of divine renewal (revival produces faithfulness).
- Theological theme: Divine initiative and human responsibility; the priority of grace in producing faithful response.
- Best use: A prayer for personal and corporate revival, acknowledging that renewal leads to deeper devotion.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Then we will not turn away from You; revive us, and we will call on Your name.
WEB World English Bible 2000
So we will not turn away from you. Revive us, and we will call on your name.
KJV King James Version 1769
So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
So shall we not go back from thee: Quicken thou us, and we will call upon thy name.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And we do not go back from Thee, Thou dost revive us, and in Thy name we call.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
So will we not go back from thee. Revive us, and we will call upon thy name.
Translations in other languages (9 available)
Así no nos volveremos de ti: vida nos darás, é invocaremos tu nombre.
Assim não desviaremos de ti; guarda-nos em vida, e chamaremos o teu nome.
Que ta main soit sur l’ homme de ta droite,
so wollen wir nicht von dir weichen. Laß uns leben, so wollen wir deinen Namen anrufen.
Uw hand zij over den man Uwer rechterhand, over des mensen zoon, dien Gij U gesterkt hebt.
e noi non ci ritrarremo da te. Facci rivivere, e noi invocheremo il tuo nome.
Niech będzie ręka twoja nad mężem prawicy twojej, nad synem człowieczym, któregoś sobie zmocnił.
這樣，我們便不 退後 離開你；求你救活我們，我們就要求告 你的名。
So will we not be turned back from you; keep us in life, and we will give praise to your name.
Verse in Context
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this verse captures the dynamic between divine renewal and human response. The psalmist makes a pledge of future obedience: if God revives His people, they will not turn away from Him. Barnes calls it “a solemn promise or pledge” made in hope of mercy. Cambridge sees the people “bound to Thee by a fresh tie of allegiance” as a result of revival. Gill links the plea for quickening to the necessity of the Spirit’s influence for fervent prayer. Clarke notes that after revival, the people “shall no more become idolaters.” The relationship is not strictly conditional like a bargain, but describes the natural fruit of God’s renewing work: when He restores life, His people respond with faithfulness and worship. The two halves, “revive us” and “we will call on your name”, are inseparable in biblical prayer. This verse assures believers that renewal always leads to deeper devotion.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: God's reviving work produces a faithful response of worship and allegiance in His people.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The relationship between divine revival and human commitment | Both traditions agree that revival is necessary for sustained faithfulness to God. | Some understand the verse as a conditional promise made in exchange for God's deliverance (Barnes, Clarke), while others see it as describing the natural result of renewal: revival inherently produces allegiance and worship (Cambridge, Gill). |
| The meaning of 'revive' (quicken) | The term refers to restoring life, whether spiritual quickening or national restoration from calamity. | Gill and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown emphasize spiritual quickening (the work of the Spirit in individual believers), while Clarke and Kimchi interpret it as national restoration from captivity, with some connecting it to resurrection in messianic times. |
| The identity of 'the man of your right hand' in context (v. 17) | This figure is a divinely appointed leader through whom God saves His people. | Jewish interpreters (Kimchi) see it as the king or representative of Israel; Christian commentators (Calvin, Henry) often see it as a messianic prophecy pointing to Christ. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Psalm 80 is a community lament attributed to Asaph, likely composed during a time of national crisis such as the Assyrian threat to the northern kingdom or the later Babylonian exile. Calvin suggests it was written for the ten tribes after that kingdom began to be wasted. The psalm opens with a plea to the Shepherd of Israel, recalling the exodus and the wilderness march where Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh camped near the ark (Numbers 2). The central image is a vine brought out of Egypt, transplanted by God’s hand, which now lies exposed to wild beasts and fire (verses 8, 16). This vine represents the nation of Israel, once flourishing, now devastated.
The refrain “Turn us again… cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved” appears three times (verses 3, 7, 19), reflecting persistent hope. Verse 18 is the climax of the final petition, following a reference to “the man of your right hand” (verse 17), understood as the king or a messianic figure through whom deliverance would come. The people promise not to turn back from God if He revives them. “Calling on your name” is covenant language, signifying exclusive worship and dependence. In the context of national ruin, this verse expresses a deep longing for restoration and a commitment to faithful allegiance once renewal comes. In our own hard seasons, this verse invites us to cry for revival and promise renewed devotion.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentary sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Hebrew text of Psalm 80:18 is stable across manuscript traditions, and no alternative readings are discussed by the consulted expositors.
Reception History
Throughout church history, this verse has been used in prayers for revival and times of national repentance. Its pairing of divine quickening with human response has made it a favorite in liturgical settings, especially during seasons of Lent or spiritual renewal. The refrain structure of Psalm 80 has been echoed in hymns that plead for God’s face to shine. The verse appears in works of devotional literature that explore the relationship between grace and gratitude. Christians across traditions have found here a model for expressing both dependence and commitment.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Cry for Revival, “Revive us.” The psalmist acknowledges that life and vitality come from God alone. This cry assumes the people are dead or dying, whether spiritually or nationally (Psalm 119:25). Revival is not self-generated; it is a gift.
- The Commitment to Stay, “We will not turn away from you.” The renewed people pledge perseverance. This is not a bargain but a declaration of allegiance rooted in God’s prior work. Barnes calls it “a solemn promise” born of affliction.
- The Call on His Name, “We will call on your name.” Worship is the natural overflow of revival. Calling on God’s name means invoking Him in prayer, praise, and trust (Genesis 4:26). The goal of renewal is not comfort but communion.
Five-point outline
- Acknowledgment of present need, The people are in ruin (verse 16). They do not pretend to be strong.
- Dependence on divine power, Only God can quicken; no human effort suffices.
- Pledge of future obedience, Revival leads to a fresh commitment not to apostatize.
- Expectation of worship, Renewal naturally produces prayer and praise.
- Ultimate hope in God’s favor, The refrain “cause your face to shine” (verse 19) frames the entire prayer, ending in salvation.
Illustration hooks
- A plant that is wilted and dry; after rain it stands upright and produces leaves. The revival brings new life and stability.
- After a serious illness, a person regains strength and makes a commitment to healthier habits. The experience of renewal changes priorities.
- A congregation that has been spiritually sluggish; after a season of prayer and repentance, they begin to sing, serve, and witness with fresh energy. The plea “revive us” becomes a testimony.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does God require us to promise obedience before He helps us, or does His help come first?
- How can I maintain a revived faith after the initial excitement fades?
- What does “revive” look like in my daily life when I feel spiritually dry?
Leading a Discussion
Psalm 80:18 shows the deep connection between God’s life-giving work and our response. The verse captures both a plea and a pledge, inviting us to consider how divine renewal shapes our commitment. Read Psalm 80 as a group to grasp the full context of lament and hope.
Discussion questions
- What is the overall mood of Psalm 80? How does verse 18 fit into that mood?
- The psalmist says “revive us.” From the cross-references (Psalm 71:20; 85:6; 119:25), what does revival mean in the Old Testament?
- Why does the psalmist connect revival with the promise “we will not turn away from you”?
- Is the promise conditional? How do the commentaries handle this relationship?
- What does it mean to “call on your name” in a practical sense today?
- How does this verse address times of spiritual dryness or national suffering?
- Share a time when you experienced a fresh sense of God’s life. How did it affect your faith and actions?
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 71:20 | You, who have shown us many and bitter troubles, you will let me live. You will bring us up again from the depths of the earth. |
| Psalms 79:13 | So we, your people and sheep of your pasture, will give you thanks forever. We will praise you forever, to all generations. |
| Psalms 85:6 | Won’t you revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? |
| Psalms 119:25 | My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word! |
| Psalms 119:37 | Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways. |
| Psalms 119:40 | Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness. VAV |
| Psalms 119:107 | I am afflicted very much. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your word. |
| Psalms 119:154 | Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise. |
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes observes that the psalmist's pledge to follow God is conditional on deliverance, a promise often made by Israel in distress but quickly forgotten. He highlights the human tendency to vow faithfulness only when seeking relief, a pattern as common as it is unreliable.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin reads this psalm as a sorrowful prayer composed specifically for the ten northern tribes of Israel, not for Judah. He points to the mention of Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh as evidence that the faithful are pleading for God to restore his favor to a kingdom now wasted by calamities, contrasting their present misery with the Church's earlier blessings.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator reads the prayer as a plea for national restoration, where renewed life from God would create a fresh bond of allegiance to Him. The restored people, bound by that new tie, would naturally respond with grateful praise rather than turning away again.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes read this as a pledge of steadfast loyalty rooted in God's action alone: the people cannot keep themselves from turning back, so they ask God to revive them first. Only then will they be able to call on His name and remain faithful.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill argues that believers do not draw back from God because of their own strength, but because God forgives sins through Christ their surety. This assurance gives them boldness to worship and stay faithful. He adds that only God's quickening grace can stir them to fervent prayer.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB sees a direct link between spiritual renewal and faithful worship: without the quickening grace that revives a believer's heart, perseverance in right worship is impossible. God must first enliven the soul before it can truly call on His name.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry draws attention to the vine metaphor for the church: weak, needing support, outwardly unimpressive yet spreading and bearing excellent fruit. He identifies Christ as the root of this vine and believers as its branches, and marvels that God planted such a choice vine in the wilderness of this world and preserved it.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley draws attention to the precise sense of two key terms. "Go back" means a deliberate revolt from God into idolatry or wickedness. "Quicken" means to revive and restore the people to their former tranquility and peace with Him.