King James Version

What Does Psalms 80:18 Mean?

Psalms 80:18 in the King James Version says “So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name. — study this verse from Psalms chapter 80 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 80:18 · KJV


Context

16

It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.

17

Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.

18

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

19

Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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 Questions

  1. How should Christians understand the relationship between divine quickening (God's sovereign act) and human commitment (pledging faithfulness)?
  2. What dangers exist in pledging 'we will not go back' based on future resolve rather than past performance?
  3. How does the request to be 'quickened' (made alive) inform understanding of spiritual revival in individuals, churches, and nations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
וְלֹא1 of 6
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נָס֥וֹג2 of 6

So will not we go back

H5472

properly, to flinch, i.e., (by implication) to go back, literally (to retreat) or figuratively (to apostatize)

מִמֶּ֑ךָּ3 of 6
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

תְּ֝חַיֵּ֗נוּ4 of 6

from thee quicken

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

וּבְשִׁמְךָ֥5 of 6

upon thy name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

נִקְרָֽא׃6 of 6

us and we will call

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 80:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 80:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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