Verse 6 in Hebrew is a negative question, which expects an affirmative answer: “Will you not revive us?” demands the answer “Yes, I will revive you.” Good News Translation has represented the meaning by a direct request; New Jerusalem Bible by a strong affirmative, “Surely You will revive us again.” The plea is “Give us life once again,” that is, make us prosperous, strong, happy once more (see the same verb in 80.18, “give us life”). In verse 6b rejoice in thee (see Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible) may mean “be happy because of what you have done” or “praise you”; Traduction œcuménique de la Bible “and you will be the joy of your people”; Bible en français courant “that we may again find joy in you.”

The people ask the LORD to reveal to them his steadfast love (see 5.7 and comments), that is, by giving them his salvation. The two may be combined as Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has done: “Show us your love and save us!” The verb Show in this context means to manifest, to reveal, by acting, by doing something; it is by saving his people that Yahweh will show to them, prove to them, that he loves them.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .