Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 116:4

"Then called I upon the name of Jehovah: O Jehovah, I beseech thee, deliver my soul." — Psalms 116:4 (ASV)

Then I called upon the name of the Lord — Upon the Lord. I had no other refuge. I felt that I must perish unless he would interpose, and I pleaded with him for deliverance and life. Compare to the notes on Psalms 18:6.

O Lord, I beseech You, deliver my soul — My life. Save me from death. This was not a cry for salvation, but for life. It is an example for us, however, to call on God when we feel that the soul is in danger of perishing, for then, as in the case of the psalmist, we have no other refuge but God.