Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 85:6

"Wilt thou not quicken us again, That thy people may rejoice in thee?" — Psalms 85:6 (ASV)

Wilt thou not revive us again - literally, “Will you not turn, or return, cause us to live?” That is, and cause us to live. The expression is equivalent to “again” as in our translation. The Septuagint and Vulgate render it, “Returning, will you not give us life?”

The word rendered revive means to live; to cause to live; and the idea is that of recovering them from their condition as a state of death; that is, restoring them as if they were dead. The image is that of returning spring after the death of winter, or the young grass when the rain descends after a long drought, and when everything seemed to be dead.

So it is with the people referred to in the psalm; everything among them was like such a winter, when there is neither leaf, nor flower, nor grass, nor fruit; or like such a drought, when desolation is seen everywhere; or like the grave, where the dead repose. The image of spring, after a long and dreary winter, is also one which will properly describe the condition of the church when the influences of the Spirit have been long withheld, and when, under the visitations of grace, religion seems to live again among the people of God.

That thy people may rejoice in thee - In your favor; in your presence; in you as their God.

1. There is always joy in a revival of religion. Nothing is so much suited to make a people happy; nothing diffuses so much joy. .

2. This is particularly joy in God. It is because he comes near; because he manifests his mercy; because he shows his power and his grace.