Psalms 85:6

6 Why not help us make a fresh start - a resurrection life? Then your people will laugh and sing!

Psalms 85:6 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 85:6

Wilt thou not revive us again
Their return from the Babylonish captivity was a reviving of them in their bondage, ( Ezra 9:8 Ezra 9:9 ) and the conversion of them in the latter day will be a reviving them again, be as life from the dead; they are like the dry bones in Ezekiel's vision, or like the dead in the graves; and their being turned to the Lord will be a resurrection, or quickening of them, as every instance of conversion is; see ( Romans 11:15 ) ( Ezekiel 37:1-10 ) , men are dead in trespasses and sins, and they are quickened by the Spirit and grace of God, so that they revive, and live a life of sanctification; they are dead in law, and find themselves to be so, when spiritually enlightened; when the Spirit of God works faith in them, to look to and live upon the righteousness of Christ for justification; and who, after spiritual decays, declensions, and deadness, are revived again, and are made cheerful and comfortable by the same Spirit; all which may be here intended:

that thy people may rejoice in thee;
it was a time of rejoicing in the Lord, when the Jews were returned from their captivity in Babylon; but their future conversion will be matter of greater joy, both to themselves and to the Gentiles; everlasting joy will be upon their heads, and in their hearts, when they shall return to Zion, ( Psalms 14:7 ) ( Isaiah 35:10 ) and so is the conversion of every sinner joyful to himself and to others; such rejoice in Christ, in his person, blood, and righteousness; and every view of him afterwards, as it is a reviving time, it fills with joy unspeakable, and full of glory: the Targum is,

``and thy people shall rejoice in thy Word;''

Christ, the essential Word.

Psalms 85:6 In-Context

4 Help us again, God of our help; don't hold a grudge against us forever.
5 You aren't going to keep this up, are you? scowling and angry, year after year?
6 Why not help us make a fresh start - a resurrection life? Then your people will laugh and sing!
7 Show us how much you love us, God! Give us the salvation we need!
8 I can't wait to hear what he'll say. God's about to pronounce his people well, The holy people he loves so much, so they'll never again live like fools.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.