The opening of Psalm 116 reminds me of Jonah:

Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. (Jonah 2.1, 2, ESV)

The pains of death surrounded me, And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!” (Psalm 116.3, 4, NKJV)

When in distress…”I called upon the name of the LORD.” It’s the central theme of Psalm 116 and certainly one of the central themes of the whole Bible.

What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD…I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the LORD. (Psalm 116.12, 13, 17, NKJV, emphasis mine)

Why do I need to call upon the name of the LORD?

Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful. The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. (Psalm 116.5 – 7, NKJV)

“The Lord preserves the simple…” The simple. I think in some respects we’re all Winnie the Pooh, “a bear of very little brain.” All we need be is smart enough to know that we need to call upon the name of the LORD.

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. (Psalm 107.6, 13, 19, 28, ESV)