WILT THOU NOT REVIVE US AGAIN?

The second clause in verse 1, “thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob”, seems to refer to the return of the captivity from Babylon. From the note of thanksgiving for that release in verses 1-3, the psalmist immediately appeals for further deliverance in verses 4-7. Then in verses 8-13 he expresses his confidence that the Lord will ultimately bless His people. Psalm 126 possesses a similar structure.

This distinction between the enjoyment of an earlier deliverance and the longing for a further one, explains the apparent conflict between “thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger”, v. 3, and “cause thine anger toward us to cease”, v. 4. God had forgiven His people for the backsliding and idolatry which had led to their captivity in Babylon. But now that some were back in the land, they had again lost their zeal for the Lord and so were incurring further judgment.

Christian experience has its counterparts to these dealings of God with His earthly people. By believing the gospel we learn the joyful meaning of verses 2, 3, “Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin … thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger”. But if we later deviate by neglecting daily prayer and Bible study, and by becoming careless about Christian living and fellowship, we rapidly succumb to further bondage to sin and failure. Paul wrote of this dilemma in Romans 7. 24, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”.

If we persist in the course of backsliding, the Lord reserves the right to deal with us severely until we return to Him and cry, “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?”, v. 6. Revival ever leads to rejoicing. Only victorious Christians can rejoice! They are often taxed by conflict. They face discouragement and perplexity. The way is never easy and always upward. But still they rejoice, for they keep right with God, drawing on His resources, supported by His strength and trusting His unfailing presence.

“Show us thy mercy, O Lord”, v. 7. Mercy is for saints as well as for sinners, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy”, Heb. 4. 16.