You read the psalm and you sense something’s gone wrong. Some sin has entered the camp. Some disobedience has derailed God’s people. Some transgression has taken away their joy.

So, the songwriter recounts a time past when, in a similar circumstance, God showed favor (Ps. 85:1-3). When He forgave the people’s iniquity and covered their sin. When we withdrew His wrath and turned from His anger. And then the psalmist sings out, “Do it again, LORD!”

Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
       and put away Your indignation toward us!
Will You be angry with us forever?
       Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?
Will You not revive us again,
       that Your people may rejoice in You?
Show us Your steadfast love, O LORD,
       and grant us Your salvation.

(Psalm 85:4-7 ESV)

Restore us again . . . Revive us again . . . More than just food to chew on, this morning, they’re lyrics to sing out.

I don’t think I’m under the disciplining hand of God as much as I’m feeling the dryness that sometimes comes with the things of everyday life. Not to say there isn’t sin to be forgiven — there is. But it’s more there’s a listlessness that needs to be enlivened. A weakness that needs to know strength. A malaise that needs some inner stirring. A weariness in need of renewal.

Restore us again . . . Revive us again . . .

I come from a “suck it up, buttercup” background. When the going gets tough, well then you just need to get going. But that’s not how it works when it comes to the spiritual valleys we encounter from time to time. It’s not about just doing better or reaching higher. Not about doubling down on the disciplines or buckling up on the obedience. During those times when the heart feels cold and stiff, while I can keep going through the motions — while I can try and “suck it up” — it’s still going to feel dead and dry.

Instead, I need to sing the psalmist’s song.

Restore us again . . . Revive us again . . .

Inner man issues are not resolved by outer man efforts. Dane Ortlund reminded me of that this morning through his thoughts on Psalm 85.

In praying for this renewal, the psalmist leads us in acknowledging that we cannot manufacture inner renewal on our own. We need God to intervene. We need him to work.

He’s done it before.

Do it again, LORD!

By Your grace. For Your glory.