Revive Us Again
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The hymn “Revive us Again” Baptist Hymnal 469 (GBH 41) was written by William Paton Mackay.
W.P. Mackay, born May 13, 1839, was a Medical Doctor educated at the University of Edinburgh. After following his medical profession for a time, he became minister of Prospect Street Presbyterian Church, Hull, in 1868. He died from an accident about seventeen years later, 1885.
This is what the hymnology archive wrote about this hymn:
In 1859–1860, a great revival occurred in Scotland, part of a greater evangelical revival movement (“Third Great Awakening”) led especially by Charles Grandison Finney (1792–1875), Edward Payson Hammond (1831–1910), and others. The outpouring of religious fervor led to a corresponding flurry of new hymns in Scotland and Ireland, including “Before the throne of God above” by Charitie Lees Smith and “Revive us again” by William Paton Mackay (1839–1885).
The text of this hymn by Mackay, a Scottish Presbyterian minister, was first published in William Reid’s Praise of Jesus, unattributed, originally beginning “We praise Thy great love, our Father and God.” The original form of the text was in nine couplets, divided into two parts, plus the refrain “Hallelujah! Thine the glory,” etc.
Seventeen of his hymns are in W. Reid’s Praise Book, 1872. Of these the best known is “We praise Thee, O God, for the Son of Thy love” (Praise to God).
Please find the four stanzas of “Revive Us Again” below.
1. We praise thee, O God,
for the Son of thy love,
for Jesus who died, and
is now gone above.
Refrain:
Hallelujah! Thine the glory,
hallelujah! Amen!
Hallelujah! Thine the glory,
revive us again.
2. We praise thee, O God,
for thy Spirit of light
who has shown us our Savior
and scattered our night.
[Refrain]
3. We praise thee, O God,
for the joy thou hast giv’n
to thy saints in communion,
these foretastes of heav’n.
[Refrain]
4. Revive us again,
fill each heart with thy love.
May each soul be rekindled
with fire from above.
[Refrain]
One of the scripture texts that inspired “Revive Us Again” was Psalm 85:4-7.
READ Psalm 85:4-7
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,
so that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.(Psalm 85:4-7 NRSV)
Psalm 85 was a desperate plea for restoration and revival. In a commentary on Psalm 85, Wikipedia said the following on John Calvin’s comments on Psalm 85.
“John Calvin summarizes the message of Psalm 85 as follows.
‘After God’s people returned from the Babylonian captivity they were suffering new afflictions. The people’s voice in the Psalm cries to God for deliverance on three counts. First, as a continuation of God’s grace in bringing the people back from captivity. Second, in view of the long period of their suffering. Lastly, in hope and confidence in the promises of God for blessing.’
On this last point, Calvin connects the restoration to Israel with the future kingdom of Christ.”
However, God already had plans for Israel (Jeremiah 31:8-9). He said,
“I will lead them
to streams of water.
They will walk on a level road
and not stumble.
I am a father to Israel,
my favorite children.” (vv. 9)
As His dearly beloved children, He has plans for us too.
Even as we call on Him to revive us in this new year, let us keep in mind that He promised us saying:
“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.
(Isaiah 65:24)
Father, revive us again.
MEMORY VERSE
“Before they call, I will answer.”
(Isaiah 65:24)
QUESTIONS
- What do you expect from God this year?
- Have you cried unto Him?
PRAYER TIP
Father, we thank You for
hearing us when we cry
unto You. Please revive,
and restore us.
CREDITS
- HYMNARY.ORG, “Revive Us Again,” https://hymnary.org/text/we_praise_thee_o_god_for_the_son_of
- HYMNOLOGY ARCHIVE, “Revive Us Again,” https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/revive-us-again
- WIKIPEDIA , “Psalm 85,” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psalm_85
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer”
for guidance if you want
to make that decision.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
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We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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