Psalms 80:18

Authorized King James Version

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So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.

Original Language Analysis

וְלֹא H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 6
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נָס֥וֹג So will not we go back H5472
נָס֥וֹג So will not we go back
Strong's: H5472
Word #: 2 of 6
properly, to flinch, i.e., (by implication) to go back, literally (to retreat) or figuratively (to apostatize)
מִמֶּ֑ךָּ H4480
מִמֶּ֑ךָּ
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 3 of 6
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
תְּ֝חַיֵּ֗נוּ from thee quicken H2421
תְּ֝חַיֵּ֗נוּ from thee quicken
Strong's: H2421
Word #: 4 of 6
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
וּבְשִׁמְךָ֥ upon thy name H8034
וּבְשִׁמְךָ֥ upon thy name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 5 of 6
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
נִקְרָֽא׃ us and we will call H7121
נִקְרָֽא׃ us and we will call
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 6 of 6
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

Analysis & Commentary

So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name. This verse concludes the psalm with covenant recommitment. "So will not we go back from thee" (ve'lo-nasug mimekha, וְלֹא־נָסוּג מִמֶּךָּ) uses sug (סוּג), meaning to turn back, retreat, apostatize. The people pledge: grant restoration and we will not repeat the apostasy that brought judgment. This conditional commitment acknowledges that past covenant violations caused current devastation, and pledges renewed faithfulness if God renews blessing. The negative formulation—"will not go back"—emphasizes determined resistance to future unfaithfulness.

"Quicken us" (techayyenu, תְּחַיֵּנוּ) uses chayah (חָיָה), meaning to live, revive, restore to life. The people recognize they're effectively dead—burned vineyard, cut-down branch, devastated nation. Only divine quickening can restore vitality. This anticipates New Testament theology of spiritual death requiring divine regeneration (Ephesians 2:1-5; Colossians 2:13). The causative form—"cause us to live"—emphasizes God must act; human effort cannot produce resurrection.

"And we will call upon thy name" (uveshimkha niqra, וּבְשִׁמְךָ נִקְרָא) pledges renewed worship and covenant loyalty. Qara beshem (קָרָא בְּשֵׁם) means to call on the name—invoke in prayer, worship exclusively, identify with publicly. The phrase appears in Abrahamic narratives (Genesis 12:8, 13:4, 21:33) describing altar-building and worship. The people promise: revive us, and we will worship You exclusively, publicly identifying as Your people. The pledge closes the psalm hopefully: though burned and cut down, the vine can sprout again if God grants quickening grace.

Historical Context

This covenant recommitment echoes renewal themes throughout Israel's history—after golden calf apostasy (Exodus 32-34), after exile (Ezra 9-10; Nehemiah 8-10), and eschatologically (Hosea 3:5, 14:1-4; Zechariah 12:10-13:1). The pledge "we will not go back" recalls Israel's repeated cycle: blessing, apostasy, judgment, repentance, restoration. Prophets promised ultimate restoration when God would write law on hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34) and give new hearts and spirits (Ezekiel 36:26-27), enabling permanent faithfulness. The pledge's ultimate fulfillment awaits Christ's work enabling genuine transformation, not merely behavioral recommitment.

Questions for Reflection