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Psalm 116:4
Then I called on the LORD’s name: “LORD, I beg you, deliver my soul.”
2Because he has turned his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3The cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow.
4Then I called on the LORD’s name: “LORD, I beg you, deliver my soul.”
5The LORD is gracious and righteous. Yes, our God is merciful.
6The LORD preserves the simple. I was brought low, and he saved me.
Notice
“Then” marks the turn from death’s grip to a direct plea, showing how few words prayer may have when trouble and sorrow close in.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What stands out to you about calling on YHWH while death still threatens?
Write on thisWhat would you ask YHWH to deliver you from in one plain sentence?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 118:5Out of my distress, I called on the LORD. The LORD answered me with freedom.Both passages describe calling on the LORD in distress; Psalm 118 also tells of his answer with freedom.
2 Samuel 22:7In my distress, I called on the LORD. Yes, I called to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry came into his ears.Calling on the LORD amid distress is shared by both passages, with Samuel’s account also declaring that God heard.
Psalm 22:20Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog.Both prayers ask for the soul’s deliverance from danger, with Psalm 22 naming the sword and the dog.
Psalm 6:4Return, LORD. Deliver my soul, and save me for your loving kindness’ sake.Both prayers ask the LORD to deliver the speaker’s soul; Psalm 6 also appeals to his loving kindness.
Psalm 143:6–9I spread out my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. Selah.Both speakers turn toward God in need, one begging for deliverance and the other describing a soul thirsty for God.
Luke 23:42–43He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”Both speakers address the Lord with a personal plea, asking for deliverance in the psalm and remembrance in Luke.
Judges 16:28Samson called to the LORD, and said, “Lord GOD, remember me, please, and strengthen me, please, only this once, God, that I may be at once avenged of the …Both speakers call to the LORD for help; Samson’s request seeks strength for revenge, while the psalm asks for deliverance.
2 Samuel 22:4I call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.Both passages connect calling on the LORD with rescue, with Samuel’s account naming enemies as the threat.
Luke 18:13But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’Both prayers make a brief, direct appeal to God: the psalm seeks deliverance, and the tax collector seeks mercy.
Genesis 12:8He left from there to go to the mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to …Calling on the LORD’s name joins these passages, though Genesis describes an altar and Psalm 116 describes danger.
Isaiah 37:15–20Hezekiah prayed to the LORD, saying,Both passages name the LORD as the one addressed in prayer; the supplied Isaiah line gives no request.
2 Chronicles 33:12–13When he was in distress, he begged the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.Both passages describe begging the LORD in distress; Chronicles also names the speaker’s humbling himself before God.
Where this verse fits
Illness or diagnosis. anxiety or panic. death and what comes after.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Your prayer may be as short as this plea. The speaker brings his threatened life to YHWH; trouble and sorrow have not silenced his call for help.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).