Psalms 80:18
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Psalms 80:18
18 So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
Chapter Context
Psalms 80 is a poetic and liturgical chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of prayer, discipleship, worship. Written during various periods (c. 1000-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Temple worship utilized these compositions across various periods of Israel's history.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-19: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Psalms and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Psalms 80:18
18 So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
Analysis
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.
Reflection
- How should Christians understand the relationship between divine quickening (God's sovereign act) and human commitment (pledging faithfulness)?
- What dangers exist in pledging 'we will not go back' based on future resolve rather than past performance?
- How does the request to be 'quickened' (made alive) inform understanding of spiritual revival in individuals, churches, and nations?
Cross-References
- Related: Song of Solomon 1:4
- Parallel theme: Psalms 79:13, 119:25, 119:40, 119:107, 119:154