In the Near East, when a king dethroned his vassal, he was said to have slain him, even though he may not have actually killed him. If the dethroned king was later restored to his throne, he was said to have come alive.
The restoration generally involved the renewal of the covenant between the king and his vassal. Psalm 80 uses this covenant terminology, in which terms Israel was dead.
The High King could restore them to life! The psalmist begged God to do this, promising to never turn to other gods again.
18 Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name!