John Gill Commentary


John Gill Commentary
"Wilt thou not quicken us again, That thy people may rejoice in thee?" — Psalms 85:6 (ASV)
Will you not revive us again
Their return from the Babylonish captivity was a reviving of them in their bondage, (Ezra 9:8Ezra 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 your people may rejoice in you ;
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 your people shall rejoice in your Word;" Christ, the essential Word.