Psalms 80:18

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

The word for ‘So will we not go back’ is ‘sug’ meaning properly, to flinch, that is, to go back, retreat.
In this we see an important aspect of the heart of the Psalmist. He understands that if God’s hand comes upon them, there is an action on his part that is needed. In the previous verse we noted that God’s hand being upon one can be a reference to discipline amongst other things.

Indeed, in Psalms 23 it’s important to note that the Lord leads His sheep through the valley of the shadow of death. Sometimes the places God takes us are not necessarily what we fancy. That’s where faith comes in to say, Lord, You know what’s best for me. I will follow.

For an example of this in action, or shall we say, lack of action, see the story of Johanan and the people of the land when they enquire of God what to do in Jeremiah 42. They tell Jeremiah, ask of God for us, and whatever He directs, we will do. When God’s answer comes back, they blatantly refuse and rebel instead.

Here in this Psalm we see the intentions being laid forth just as the people did in Jeremiah. Place your hand upon us, O God, we will not retreat! Did the Psalmist fulfil his promise? We can only hope so and tread the same path with a keen understanding that when God speaks and we feel His hand, we respond by coming closer, not backing away.

There is one more element to this word, and that is the idea of retreating. It implies that God is going to ask something daunting, challenging. He wants to see your faith. Without faith you’re not going to please Him. Faith will require something that makes you want to flinch, turn back, retreat. That’s when you need to get in your spirit the words of this prayer, “We will not go back! We will not flinch at your hand. We crave the touch of the Master’s hand!”

“quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.“

Recurring throughout the prayer has been the theme of salvation, and now as we come to the close, it is here brought up again – quicken us. Also translated as ‘save us’. Revive us. Cause us to live.

It’s interesting that it is then followed by, “We will call upon Thy name”

Did not the Scriptures say, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”? How then comes the quickening before one calls? Herein is the grace of God, because none can call on a name which they know not. None can call upon a name if there is no way out. Before anyone ever called upon the name of the Lord, there was a Lamb slain from the foundation of the earth that had already paid the price of sin.

The only way one will ever call upon the name of the Lord is through the grace of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice at Calvary.