Psalms 80:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

So will not we go back {H5472}{H8799)} from thee: quicken {H2421}{H8762)} us, and we will call {H7121}{H8799)} upon thy name {H8034}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then we won't turn away from you if you revive us, we will call on your name.

Berean Standard Bible

Then we will not turn away from You; revive us, and we will call on Your name.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 80:18 is a fervent plea within a communal lament, articulating Israel's desperate cry for divine restoration and renewal. It encapsulates a solemn vow of faithfulness, promising unwavering devotion and worship to God if He would mercifully intervene to revive and empower His people amidst their national distress. This verse highlights the profound dependence of human fidelity and worship on God's life-giving power, presenting a reciprocal covenant dynamic where divine grace enables human response.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 80 functions as a passionate communal lament and prayer for national restoration, addressed to God as the "Shepherd of Israel" and enthroned above the cherubim, as seen in the opening verse ([Psalms 80:1](/psalms/80-1 "Psalms 80:1 - God, Shepherd of Israel")). The psalm is structurally defined by a recurring refrain, "Turn us again, O God; cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved," which first appears in [Psalms 80:3](/psalms/80-3 "Psalms 80:3 - The Refrain for Restoration") and intensifies in subsequent iterations in [Psalms 80:7](/psalms/80-7 "Psalms 80:7 - Second Refrain") and [Psalms 80:19](/psalms/80-19 "Psalms 80:19 - Final Refrain"). The core of the psalm vividly portrays Israel as a vine that God brought out of Egypt, planted, and meticulously nurtured, but which is now ravaged and desolate ([Psalms 80:8-13](/psalms/80-8 "Psalms 80:8-13 - Israel as a Vine")). Verse 18 forms a crucial part of the psalm's concluding petition, where the people articulate their commitment to renewed faithfulness as a direct, empowered response to God's life-giving intervention, culminating in a final, impassioned plea for comprehensive restoration.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm likely originates from a period of severe national suffering for the Northern Kingdom of Israel, possibly in the aftermath of military defeat, invasion, or the encroaching threat of Assyrian conquest that eventually led to their exile (c. 722 BCE). The specific mention of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh in [Psalms 80:2](/psalms/80-2 "Psalms 80:2 - The Northern Tribes") strongly points to the northern tribes, who were particularly vulnerable and often prone to idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. The imagery of God as a shepherd was deeply significant in ancient Israel, representing divine care, protection, and leadership, while the "vine" metaphor connected to Israel's identity as God's chosen people, cultivated by Him in the land. The lament reflects a common ancient Near Eastern practice of appealing to a deity for deliverance during times of crisis, often coupled with vows of renewed allegiance and a recognition of divine discipline.

* **Key Themes:** This psalm, and particularly [Psalms 80:18](/psalms/80-18 "Psalms 80:18 - A Plea for Quickening and Promise of Faithfulness"), powerfully articulates several core theological themes. It highlights the **sovereignty and power of God** as the ultimate source of salvation and restoration, emphasized by the repeated plea for Him to "turn us again" and "cause thy face to shine" ([Psalms 80:3](/psalms/80-3 "God's Saving Face")). The theme of **divine judgment and discipline** is subtly evident in the vine's desolation, implying that Israel's suffering is a consequence of their unfaithfulness, a departure from the covenant. Crucially, the psalm underscores the theme of **repentance and renewed covenant fidelity**, as seen in the people's promise "So will not we go back from thee." Finally, it emphasizes **revival and spiritual quickening** as a divine gift, enabling true worship and dependence, encapsulated in the cry "quicken us, and we will call upon thy name." These themes collectively portray a people yearning for God's merciful intervention to restore their relationship and national well-being.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Quicken (Hebrew, _châyâh'_ H2421):** This primitive root verb carries a rich semantic range, including "to live," "to keep alive," "to revive," "to restore to life," and "to cause to flourish." In the context of Psalms 80:18, it signifies a profound need for a divine infusion of vitality—not merely physical existence, but spiritual, national, and existential renewal. It implies a state of near-death or desolation from which only God can bring forth life and flourishing, thereby enabling the people to fulfill their covenant obligations and turn back to Him.
* **Go back (Hebrew, _çûwg'_ H5472):** This primitive root means "to flinch," and by implication, "to go back," either literally (to retreat) or figuratively (to apostatize). In the phrase "So will not we go back from thee," it represents a solemn vow of repentance and steadfast loyalty. It signifies a decisive commitment to forsake past apostasy, wandering, or turning away from God, pledging to remain devoted to Him. This promise is presented as a direct response to God's quickening power, indicating that true and lasting repentance is empowered by divine grace.
* **Call upon thy name (Hebrew, _qârâʼ'_ H7121 and _shêm'_ H8034):** The verb `qârâʼ` means "to call out to," "to address by name," or "to invoke." When combined with `shêm` (name), which signifies an appellation, a mark or memorial of individuality, honor, authority, or character, the phrase "call upon thy name" becomes a common biblical idiom for invoking God in prayer, worship, and reliance. In Psalms 80:18, it represents the natural and intended outcome of God's quickening: a restored people will naturally turn to Him in genuine worship, prayer, and absolute trust, acknowledging and honoring His identity, character, and authority as their only God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So will not we go back from thee:"** This clause expresses a solemn promise and a resolute commitment on the part of the supplicants. It signifies a decisive turning away from any previous unfaithfulness, apostasy, or spiritual wandering, pledging steadfast loyalty and devotion to God. The introductory "So" (Hebrew: וְלֹא, "and not") connects this promise directly to the preceding pleas for God's intervention, suggesting that if God acts, their response will be unwavering fidelity, a reversal of their previous trajectory of departure.
* **"quicken us,"** This is the central, urgent plea of the verse, a desperate cry for divine life and restoration. The request for God to "quicken" them signifies a profound need for spiritual, national, and perhaps even physical revival from a state of desolation or near-death. It acknowledges God as the sole source of life and vitality, without which the people cannot fulfill their promise of faithfulness or escape their dire circumstances. It is a recognition of utter dependence on divine power to infuse new life where there is only decay.
* **"and we will call upon thy name."** This final clause articulates the intended outcome and purpose of God's quickening power. It is a commitment to renewed worship, fervent prayer, and absolute reliance on God. If God grants their plea for revival, their natural and empowered response will be to honor Him, seek Him continually, and depend entirely upon His character and provision, demonstrating a true covenant relationship and a restored intimacy with their God. This calling upon His name signifies a life lived in His presence and under His authority.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 80:18 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of desperate longing and renewed commitment. The verse functions as a **Conditional Vow**, implicitly stating that *if* God grants their request for quickening, *then* they will respond with steadfast faithfulness and worship. This highlights the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship, where divine grace enables human obedience and perseverance. The phrase "quicken us" serves as a potent **Metaphor** for spiritual and national revival, likening a desolate or dying state to actual death, from which only God can bring forth life and flourishing. The use of **Synecdoche** is evident in "call upon thy name," where "name" represents the entirety of God's revealed character, power, and presence, embodying the full scope of worship and dependence. This phrase also embodies **Plea and Promise**, as the people simultaneously implore God for intervention and commit to a specific, God-honoring response. The direct address to God ("from thee," "thy name") utilizes **Apostrophe**, intensifying the personal, intimate, and desperate nature of the petition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 80:18 profoundly illustrates the dynamic interplay between divine initiative and human responsibility in the covenant relationship. It posits that genuine human fidelity and worship are not merely acts of willpower but are fundamentally empowered by God's life-giving grace. The people's promise "So will not we go back from thee" signifies a commitment to repentance and perseverance, but this resolve is explicitly linked to the prior request, "quicken us." This theological sequence underscores that spiritual vitality, the capacity for true devotion, and the ability to remain steadfast are gifts from God. When God revives His people, enabling them to turn from their backsliding, their natural and empowered response is to "call upon His name," demonstrating renewed dependence and worship. This verse thus stands as a powerful testament to the necessity of divine grace for human faithfulness and the restoration of a right relationship with God, emphasizing that true spiritual life originates from Him.

* [Deuteronomy 30:1-3](/deuteronomy/30-1 "Repentance and Restoration to the Land")
* [Lamentations 5:21](/lamentations/5-21 "Restore Us, O Lord, to Yourself")
* [Hosea 6:1-2](/hosea/6-1-2 "Return to the Lord for Healing and Revival")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 80:18 offers a timeless model for both personal and communal prayer in times of spiritual languishing or national distress. It teaches us that true repentance is not merely regret for past sins but a resolute commitment to "not go back" from God, a turning towards enduring faithfulness and perseverance. However, this commitment is not born of our own strength but is entirely enabled by God's "quickening" power. When we feel spiritually dry, overwhelmed by the challenges of life, or observe our communities drifting from God, this verse invites us to cry out for divine revival, acknowledging our utter dependence on Him. It reminds us that God's life-giving Spirit empowers us to live righteously and to genuinely "call upon His name" in worship, prayer, and active dependence. Our desire to remain faithful and to worship Him is both a prerequisite for and a direct result of His gracious intervention. This verse encourages us to acknowledge our profound need for God's ongoing work within us, trusting that His quickening will lead to vibrant, sustained devotion that honors His name and restores our spiritual vitality and purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life, or within my community, do I sense a deep need for God's "quickening" power and spiritual revival?**
* **What concrete commitments can I make to "not go back" from God, and how does my reliance on His enabling grace empower these commitments daily?**
* **How does my daily life genuinely reflect a consistent "calling upon His name," and what practical steps can I take to deepen my worship, prayer, and active dependence on Him?**

### FAQ
**Does "quicken us" refer only to spiritual life, or also to physical or national restoration?**

Answer: While the primary context of Psalms 80 is a fervent plea for national restoration and spiritual revival for Israel, the Hebrew word `châyâh` (H2421) for "quicken" is remarkably broad, encompassing various forms of life and restoration. It can indeed refer to physical life, as seen in [Genesis 45:27](/genesis/45-27 "Genesis 45:27 - Jacob's Spirit Revived") where Jacob's spirit "revived," or in [1 Kings 17:22](/1_kings/17-22 "1 Kings 17:22 - The Widow's Son Restored to Life") where the widow's son "was restored to life." Spiritually, it signifies being brought from a state of spiritual death or languishing to vibrant life, a concept powerfully articulated in [Ephesians 2:5](/ephesians/2-5 "Ephesians 2:5 - Made Alive with Christ") where believers are "made alive together with Christ." In Psalms 80:18, it certainly includes spiritual and national vitality—a comprehensive restoration of Israel's strength, purpose, and relationship with God, which would naturally have implications for their physical well-being and security. Ultimately, it is a holistic plea for God to infuse life into every aspect of their existence that had become desolate.

**Is the promise "So will not we go back from thee" conditional on God's quickening?**

Answer: The grammatical structure of the verse, "quicken us, and we will call upon thy name," strongly suggests a consequential relationship. The people are essentially saying, "If you quicken us, *then* we will not go back from you and we will call upon your name." This highlights a profound theological truth: while human repentance and faithfulness are commanded and expected, the *capacity* to genuinely fulfill these covenant obligations is seen as a gift of divine grace. It's not a transactional bargain where God is forced to act, but rather a recognition that true, sustained faithfulness flows from God's empowering, life-giving work within His people. It acknowledges human weakness and the pervasive human tendency to "go back" or apostatize, thereby affirming the absolute necessity of divine enablement to truly "not go back" from Him. This dynamic underscores that God's grace precedes and enables genuine human response and perseverance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 80:18, with its desperate plea for quickening and its subsequent promise of faithfulness, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "quickening" that Israel longed for, a restoration from spiritual death to vibrant life, is precisely what Christ accomplishes through His atoning work on the cross and His glorious resurrection. He is the very "life" that God imparts ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), and through His victory over death, He offers a new, eternal spiritual life to all who believe in Him ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ")). Indeed, God, "being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ" ([Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - Made Alive with Christ")). The promise "So will not we go back from thee" resonates deeply with the New Covenant reality, where believers are given a new heart and a new spirit, enabling them to walk in God's statutes and not turn away ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - New Heart and Spirit")). This divine enablement ensures perseverance, as Christ Himself promises that His sheep will never perish and no one can snatch them from His hand ([John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - No One Can Snatch Them")). Moreover, the commitment to "call upon thy name" is fully realized in Christ, for it is by calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus that salvation is found and true worship is offered ([Romans 10:9-13](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9-13 - Confession and Salvation")). He is the "true vine" ([John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus the True Vine")) who gives life to His branches, enabling them to bear fruit and remain steadfast, perfectly fulfilling the ancient longing for divine quickening and enduring faithfulness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 119:25

¶ DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

Philippians 2:12

¶ Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Philippians 2:13

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.

Psalms 119:40

¶ Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

Psalms 119:107

¶ I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

Psalms 119:154

Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

Song Of Solomon 1:4

Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.