Psalms 116:4

KJV

Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then called {H7121} I upon the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}; O LORD {H3068}, I beseech {H577} thee, deliver {H4422} my soul {H5315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But I called on the name of ADONAI: "Please, ADONAI! Save me!"

Berean Standard Bible

Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, deliver my soul!”

American Standard Version

Then called I upon the name of Jehovah: O Jehovah, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 116:4 encapsulates a profound moment of desperate prayer and unwavering trust in the midst of overwhelming distress. It records the psalmist's immediate and fervent appeal to the LORD for deliverance when faced with the imminent threat of death and the grave. This pivotal verse highlights the essence of turning to God as the singular source of hope and salvation, demonstrating an intimate reliance on His covenant faithfulness and power to rescue from seemingly impossible situations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 116 is a deeply personal psalm of thanksgiving, recounting the psalmist's miraculous rescue from the clutches of death. The preceding verses vividly set the scene of extreme peril, describing how "the sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow" [Psalm 116:3](/psalms/116-3 "Psalm 116:3 - The Snares of Death"). Verse 4 serves as the critical turning point in this narrative of distress and deliverance. It reveals the psalmist's immediate and decisive action in response to this overwhelming crisis: a direct, urgent, and personal appeal to the Almighty. This desperate cry for help then sets the stage for the remainder of the psalm, which overflows with expressions of gratitude, vows of faithfulness, and declarations of God's merciful intervention and unwavering reliability. The psalmist's testimony here provides a powerful model for believers facing similar life-threatening or soul-crushing circumstances.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, prayer was not merely a ritual but a vital, dynamic relationship with the living God, YHWH. The act of "calling upon the name of the LORD" was a deeply significant theological and cultural practice, signifying a direct invocation of God's revealed character, power, and covenant promises. It implied an acknowledgment of His sovereignty and His unique ability to intervene in human affairs. Faced with the "pains of death" (often referring to physical illness, enemies, or any life-threatening situation) and the "sorrows of hell" (referring to Sheol, the realm of the dead or the grave), an Israelite's natural recourse was to appeal to the God who had historically delivered His people from bondage and peril. This practice was rooted in the covenant relationship established at Sinai, where YHWH promised to hear and respond to the cries of His people. The psalmist's experience reflects a universal human response to ultimate helplessness, filtered through the specific lens of Israel's covenant theology.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 116 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Desperate Supplication**, illustrating that even in the most dire circumstances, direct and earnest prayer to God is the primary and most effective response. The urgency implied by "I beseech thee" highlights the depth of the psalmist's need and the sincerity of the plea. Secondly, the phrase "Then called I upon the name of the LORD" emphasizes the theme of **Invoking God's Character and Covenant**. To call upon God's name is to appeal to His very being, His attributes, and His faithfulness to His promises. It is an act of profound trust, acknowledging that only YHWH possesses the power and will to deliver, a truth echoed in passages like [Psalm 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalm 18:6 - God Hears Prayer"), where the psalmist cries out and God hears from His temple. Finally, the core request "deliver my soul" encapsulates the theme of **Divine Deliverance**. This is not merely a request for spiritual salvation in a modern sense, but a holistic plea for rescue from immediate, life-threatening danger, impacting the psalmist's entire existence. It points to God as the ultimate rescuer, capable of preserving life and restoring well-being, fulfilling the promise that "whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered" [Joel 2:32](/joel/2-32 "Joel 2:32 - Whoever Calls on the Name of the LORD Shall Be Saved").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **קָרָא (Hebrew, _qara'_):** This verb means "to call, cry out, proclaim, summon." When used with "upon the name of the LORD" (בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה, _b'shem YHWH_), it signifies a formal, deliberate, and often urgent invocation of God's revealed, covenant name, Yahweh (rendered "LORD" in English translations like KJV). It's more than just uttering a sound; it's an act of worship, trust, and dependence, appealing to God's character and power in a moment of need.
* **נָצַל (Hebrew, _natsal'_):** Meaning "to snatch away, rescue, deliver, pull out." This verb often implies rescue from danger, an enemy, or a difficult situation. It conveys the idea of a forceful, decisive act of liberation, suggesting that the psalmist was in a situation from which only divine intervention could extricate them. It is a plea for active, powerful salvation from an immediate threat.
* **נֶפֶשׁ (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** Translated as "soul," this Hebrew word has a much broader semantic range than the English equivalent. It can refer to life, breath, self, person, being, or even appetite. In this context, "deliver my soul" is a plea for the preservation of one's entire life and being from the threat of death and destruction. It encompasses physical existence, emotional well-being, and spiritual vitality, signifying a holistic deliverance from peril.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then called I upon the name of the LORD;":** This clause marks the decisive action taken by the psalmist in the face of overwhelming distress. The "Then" indicates a direct, immediate response to the "sorrows of death" and "pains of hell" described in the preceding verses. The act of "calling upon the name of the LORD" signifies a profound act of faith and dependence. It is an invocation of YHWH, the covenant God of Israel, appealing to His character, power, and faithfulness to His promises. This is not a casual request but a desperate, intentional turning to the only One capable of providing rescue.
* **"O LORD, I beseech thee, ":** This phrase intensifies the plea, adding a direct address and an expression of earnest supplication. "O LORD" reiterates the personal and covenantal nature of the appeal to YHWH. "I beseech thee" (from the Hebrew אָנָּא, _'anna'_, meaning "I pray, please, now") conveys urgency, humility, and a fervent, almost desperate, request. It demonstrates the psalmist's recognition of their own helplessness and God's sovereign ability to act.
* **"deliver my soul.":** This is the core request, articulating the specific need. As discussed with _nephesh_, "deliver my soul" is a comprehensive plea for holistic salvation—rescue from physical death, emotional despair, and any threat to the psalmist's entire being. It is a cry for preservation of life and restoration of well-being, demonstrating complete reliance on God for ultimate rescue from the brink of destruction.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 116:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Direct Address**, as the psalmist speaks directly to "the LORD" (YHWH), emphasizing the personal and intimate nature of the prayer relationship. The **Repetition** of "LORD" within the short verse ("called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD") underscores the psalmist's singular focus and intense reliance on God alone. This repetition also serves as a form of **Anaphora** (though within a single verse), creating a rhythmic emphasis on the divine recipient of the prayer. The entire verse functions as a powerful example of **Supplication**, a fervent and humble appeal for divine intervention, characterized by its brevity, directness, and profound emotional intensity. The contrast between the overwhelming "pains of death" in the preceding verses and this immediate, decisive act of calling upon God highlights a dramatic **Turning Point** in the narrative, moving from despair to a desperate but hopeful plea.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 116:4 stands as a timeless testament to the power and necessity of prayer in moments of extreme distress. Theologically, it affirms God's accessibility and responsiveness to the cries of His people, reinforcing the concept of YHWH as a covenant-keeping God who hears and delivers. It underscores human vulnerability and absolute dependence on divine intervention for true salvation, whether from physical peril or spiritual despair. The act of "calling upon the name of the LORD" is not merely a ritualistic utterance but a profound act of faith that invokes God's very character and power, acknowledging His sovereignty over life and death. This verse teaches that God is not a distant deity but an immanent deliverer, intimately involved in the suffering and rescue of those who trust in Him.

* [Psalm 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalm 18:6 - God Hears Prayer")
* [Joel 2:32](/joel/2-32 "Joel 2:32 - Whoever Calls on the Name of the LORD Shall Be Saved")
* [Romans 10:13](/romans/10-13 "Romans 10:13 - Calling on the Name of the Lord for Salvation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 116:4 offers profound encouragement and a practical model for believers navigating life's inevitable seasons of adversity. In moments when the "pains of death" or the "sorrows of hell" (whether literal or metaphorical) seem to engulf us, our most effective and foundational response is to turn directly to God in earnest prayer. This verse reminds us that our cries are not unheard; God is attentive to the desperate pleas of His children. It challenges us to cultivate a habit of immediate and wholehearted reliance on the Lord, not as a last resort, but as our primary and most potent weapon against fear, despair, and overwhelming circumstances. The psalmist's experience validates the power of direct, heartfelt supplication, assuring us that God is both able and willing to deliver us from our troubles, whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual. It urges us to express our needs honestly, to invoke God's character, and to place our complete trust in His unfailing mercy and power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "pains of death" or "sorrows of hell" in your life that call for a desperate cry to God?**
* **How does the psalmist's immediate response in this verse challenge your own default reactions to distress?**
* **What does it mean for you, practically, to "call upon the name of the LORD" in your current circumstances?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's deliverance in response to your earnest prayers?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean to "call upon the name of the LORD" in this context?**

Answer: To "call upon the name of the LORD" (Hebrew: _qara' b'shem YHWH_) is a deeply significant theological act, far more profound than simply uttering a word. In this context, it means to invoke God's very character, His revealed attributes, His covenant promises, and His active presence. It is an appeal to YHWH, the personal, covenant-keeping God of Israel, acknowledging His sovereignty, power, and faithfulness to deliver. It signifies a profound act of trust and dependence, recognizing that only God can provide the necessary rescue from overwhelming peril. This concept is foundational throughout Scripture, from the earliest days of humanity [Genesis 4:26](/genesis/4-26 "Genesis 4:26 - Men Began to Call on the Name of the LORD") to the promise of salvation for all who call upon His name [Romans 10:13](/romans/10-13 "Romans 10:13 - Calling on the Name of the Lord for Salvation"). It implies a personal, urgent, and faith-filled turning to God as the sole source of hope and salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 116:4, with its desperate cry for deliverance, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest resonance in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The psalmist's plea to be "delivered from my soul" from the "pains of death" foreshadows the ultimate human cry for rescue from sin and its consequence, death. Jesus, in His humanity, also experienced profound distress and cried out to the Father, especially in Gethsemane [Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane") and on the cross [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction"). The author of Hebrews notes that Jesus "offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared" [Hebrews 5:7](/hebrews/5-7 "Hebrews 5:7 - Christ's Prayers and Obedience"). While He experienced death, He was ultimately delivered from its power through His resurrection, conquering the grave for all who believe. For believers, "calling upon the name of the LORD" now means calling upon the name of Jesus, for He is YHWH incarnate, the one through whom salvation comes. As [Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confessing Christ as Lord") declares, "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bearing our sorrows and delivering our souls from eternal death and the power of sin [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins"). Thus, the psalmist's cry for deliverance is ultimately answered and perfected in Christ, who is our ultimate Deliverer and the very embodiment of the LORD upon whom we call.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 118:5

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, [and set me] in a large place.

Psalms 22:20

Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.

Psalms 143:6

I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul [thirsteth] after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

Psalms 143:9

Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.

Psalms 50:15

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Psalms 22:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [why art thou so] far from helping me, [and from] the words of my roaring?

Psalms 22:3

But thou [art] holy, [O thou] that inhabitest the praises of Israel.