Psalms 116:4

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 116:4 (KJV) captures a pivotal moment of desperate prayer and profound trust. This verse is a heartfelt cry from the psalmist, recalling a time of extreme distress when deliverance seemed impossible. It encapsulates the essence of turning to God as the sole source of hope and salvation.

Context

Psalm 116 is a beautiful psalm of thanksgiving, recounting the psalmist's personal experience of being delivered from what felt like the very brink of death. The preceding verses vividly describe the "pains of death" and the "sorrows of hell" (referring to the grave or Sheol) having taken hold of the psalmist. Verse 4 is the pivot point, revealing the immediate action taken in that dire moment: a direct appeal to the Almighty. It sets the stage for the subsequent verses, which express gratitude for God's merciful intervention and faithfulness. This psalm serves as a powerful testimony to God's attentiveness to the cries of His people.

Key Themes

  • Desperate Supplication: The phrase "I beseech thee" highlights the urgency and earnestness of the psalmist's plea. It's not a casual request but a fervent appeal from a soul in peril.
  • Calling on God's Name: "Then called I upon the name of the LORD" signifies a profound act of faith. To call upon God's name is to invoke His character, His power, His covenant promises, and His very presence. It demonstrates a complete reliance on Him, acknowledging His sovereignty and ability to act. This resonates with the promise that "whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered."
  • Divine Deliverance: The core request, "deliver my soul," is a plea for holistic salvation. The Hebrew word for "soul" (nephesh) often refers to the whole person, life, or being. Thus, the psalmist is not just asking for spiritual salvation but for deliverance from the immediate, life-threatening danger, impacting their entire existence.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "called I upon the name of the LORD" uses the verb qara' (קָרָא), which means "to call, cry out, proclaim." When combined with "upon the name of the LORD" (b'shem YHWH), it denotes a formal, deliberate invocation of God's revealed, covenant name, Yahweh (rendered as "LORD" in KJV). This is more than just uttering a sound; it is an act of worship and trust. The word for "deliver" is natsal (נָצַל), meaning "to snatch away, rescue, deliver," often implying rescue from danger or an enemy.

Practical Application

Psalm 116:4 offers timeless encouragement for believers facing adversity. It reminds us that in moments of overwhelming fear, pain, or distress, our first and most effective response should be to turn to God in prayer. The psalmist's experience validates the power of direct, heartfelt supplication. It assures us that God hears the cries of His children and is able and willing to deliver us from our troubles, whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual. This verse serves as a model for our own prayers, urging us to express our needs honestly and to place our complete trust in the Lord's unfailing mercy.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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