Psalms 116:4
Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְשֵֽׁם
I upon the name
H8034
וּבְשֵֽׁם
I upon the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
1 of 7
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
O LORD
H3068
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶקְרָ֑א
Then called
H7121
אֶקְרָ֑א
Then called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
3 of 7
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
O LORD
H3068
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
Jewish tradition associated this psalm with moments of national or personal deliverance. The phrase 'I called upon the name of the LORD' appears at crisis points throughout biblical history: Abraham (Genesis 12:8), Elijah (1 Kings 18:24), early church (Acts 2:21). Calling on God's name presumes covenant relationship—these aren't strangers petitioning a distant deity but covenant children appealing to their faithful Father. Paul quotes Psalm 116:10 ('I believed, therefore have I spoken') in 2 Corinthians 4:13, applying the psalm Christologically and ecclesially.
Questions for Reflection
- What does 'calling on the name of the LORD' mean beyond merely saying a prayer?
- How does the simplicity and urgency of this prayer inform your own prayer life during crises?
- What is the relationship between covenant relationship with God (knowing His name) and confidence that He will answer?
Analysis & Commentary
Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. In extremity, the psalmist prays. Then called I (uvshem-Yahweh ekra, וּבְשֵׁם־יְהוָה אֶקְרָא) uses the covenant name Yahweh (יְהוָה), appealing to Israel's covenant-keeping God who reveals Himself personally. Calling on God's 'name' invokes His character, promises, and revealed nature.
The prayer is urgent and specific: O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul (ana Yahweh malletah nafshi, אָנָּה יְהוָה מַלְּטָה נַפְשִׁי). Ana (אָנָּה) is an interjection: 'please,' 'I pray,' expressing desperate petition. Malletah (מַלְּטָה) means to escape, deliver, rescue. Nafshi (נַפְשִׁי, my soul) represents the whole person—life, self, being.
This is prayer distilled to essence: desperate cry, covenant appeal, specific request. No elaborate liturgy, no formal structure—just urgent petition to the God who saves. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: Israel crying out in Egypt (Exodus 2:23), Peter sinking and shouting 'Lord, save me!' (Matthew 14:30), Paul's thorn-prompted prayer (2 Corinthians 12:8).