Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 26:16

"Jehovah, in trouble have they visited thee; they poured out a prayer [when] thy chastening was upon them." — Isaiah 26:16 (ASV)

Poured out a prayer - Margin, ‘Secret speech.’ The Hebrew word לחשׁ lachash means properly a whispering, muttering; and through a sighing, a calling for help. This is the sense here. In their calamity they sighed, and called on God for help.