King James Version

What Does Psalms 85:6 Mean?

Psalms 85:6 in the King James Version says “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 85 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 85:6 · KJV

Context

4

Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.

5

Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?

6

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

7

Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.

8

I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

Read Psalms 85 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? This heartfelt petition appears in a psalm of national lament and restoration hope. The question form "wilt thou not" (halo-attah, הֲלֹא־אַתָּה) expects affirmative answer—"won't you surely...?" It's rhetorical appeal rather than doubting inquiry. The psalmist confidently expects God to act, yet the question form expresses urgent desire and patient waiting for divine intervention.

"Revive us again" (tashuv techayenu, תָּשׁוּב תְּחַיֵּנוּ) literally means "return and give us life." The verb chayah (חָיָה) means "to live, be alive, have life"—in causative form it means "cause to live, restore to life, revive." This isn't primarily physical resurrection but spiritual, national, and covenantal renewal. The people feel spiritually dead, nationally defeated, covenantally abandoned—they need God to breathe new life into them as He breathed life into Adam (Genesis 2:7).

"Again" (shuv, שׁוּב) implies previous revival. God has restored Israel before—from Egyptian bondage, Babylonian exile, various judgments. The "again" appeals to established pattern: God is the God of second chances, repeated mercies, continual renewals. Just as He revived in the past, He can revive again. This encourages hope during present spiritual deadness.

"That thy people may rejoice in thee" (ve-yismchu amcha bak, וְיִשְׂמְחוּ עַמְּךָ בָּךְ) states the purpose of revival. God's goal isn't merely His people's comfort but their joy in Him. Samach (שָׂמַח) means "to rejoice, be glad"—exuberant celebration, not mere contentment. True revival produces joy centered in God Himself (bak, "in thee"), not merely joy about circumstances improved. The ultimate purpose of divine restoration is renewed worship.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Post-Exilic Context and Revival in Israel's History

Psalm 85's historical setting is debated, but most scholars place it in the post-exilic period (after 538 BC) when Jews returned from Babylonian captivity. Verses 1-3 reference past restoration: "LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob." This likely refers to the return from exile under Cyrus's decree (Ezra 1). However, verses 4-7 reveal that despite physical return, spiritual restoration remained incomplete—hence the prayer for revival.

The returned exiles faced discouragement. They rebuilt the temple (completed 515 BC), but it lacked the glory of Solomon's temple (Ezra 3:12-13). Economic hardship plagued the community (Haggai 1:6). Surrounding peoples opposed reconstruction (Ezra 4-5). Spiritual compromise crept in through intermarriage with pagans (Ezra 9-10). The people experienced physical return without spiritual renewal—they were back in the land but not fully restored to vital relationship with God.

This pattern repeats throughout biblical history. After Egyptian deliverance, Israel rebelled at Sinai with the golden calf—requiring revival (Exodus 32-34). Following judges' era, Samuel led revival (1 Samuel 7:3-6). During divided kingdom, Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29-31) and Josiah (2 Kings 22-23) led reforms. Post-exile, Ezra (Ezra 9-10) and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8-10) called for covenant renewal. Each generation needed fresh revival because spiritual vitality naturally declines without conscious cultivation.

Church history shows the same pattern. Periodic revivals—Great Awakening (18th century), Second Great Awakening (19th century), Welsh Revival (1904-1905), Azusa Street (1906-1915)—renewed spiritually dead churches. These movements shared common features: conviction of sin, repentance, renewed prayer, evangelistic zeal, and joy in the Lord. Psalm 85:6 remains the church's perpetual prayer: "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?"

Reflection Questions

  1. What does spiritual "revival" mean, and how is it different from mere religious activity or emotional excitement?
  2. Why does God's pattern include periodic need for revival rather than sustaining continuous spiritual vitality?
  3. How can believers distinguish between legitimate longing for revival and dissatisfaction with God's present working?
  4. What role do God's people play in revival (prayer, repentance, obedience) versus God's sovereign work that we cannot manufacture?
  5. How does the goal of revival ("that thy people may rejoice in thee") clarify revival's true nature as God-centered rather than self-centered?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
הֲֽלֹא1 of 7
H3808

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

אַ֭תָּה2 of 7
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תָּשׁ֣וּב3 of 7

“us again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

תְּחַיֵּ֑נוּ4 of 7

“Wilt thou not revive”

H2421

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

וְ֝עַמְּךָ֗5 of 7

“that thy people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יִשְׂמְחוּ6 of 7

“may rejoice”

H8055

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

בָֽךְ׃7 of 7
H0

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 85:6 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 85:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Habakkuk 3:2Psalms 80:18Isaiah 57:15Psalms 90:14Hosea 6:2Psalms 71:20

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