USB ~ Jonah 2

Jonah’s Prayer.

1 But the LORD sent a great fish to swallow Jonah, and he remained in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. a

2 Jonah prayed to the LORD, his God, from the belly of the fish:

3 † Out of my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me; From the womb of Sheol† I cried for help, and you heard my voice. b

4 You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the sea, and the flood enveloped me; All your breakers and your billows passed over me. c

5 Then I said, “I am banished from your sight! How will I again look upon your holy temple?” d

6 The waters surged around me up to my neck; the deep enveloped me; seaweed wrapped around my head. e

7 I went down to the roots of the mountains; to the land whose bars closed behind me forever, But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD, my God. f

8 When I became faint, I remembered the LORD; My prayer came to you in your holy temple. g

9 Those who worship worthless idols abandon their hope for mercy. h

10 But I, with thankful voice, will sacrifice to you; What I have vowed I will pay: deliverance is from the LORD. i

11 Then the LORD commanded the fish to vomit Jonah upon dry land.

Footnotes

†. 2:3-10 These verses, which may have originally been an independent composition, are a typical example of a song of thanksgiving, a common psalm genre (e.g., Ps 116; Is 38:9-20). Such a song is relevant here, since Jonah has not drowned, and the imagery of vv. 4, 6 is appropriate.

†. 2:3 Sheol: c.f. note on Ps 6:6.

2:1 Mt 12:40; 16:4; Lk 11:30; 1 Cor 15:4.
2:3 Ps 18:7; 120:1.
2:4 Ps 42:8.
2:5 Ps 31:23; Is 38:11.
2:6 Ps 18:5; 69:2.
2:7 Ps 16:10; 30:4.
2:8 Ps 5:8; 18:7; 88:3.
2:9 Ps 31:7.
2:10 Ps 50:14.