Jonah 2:2-9

2 He said, "When I was in trouble, I called out to you. And you answered me. When I had almost drowned, I called out for help. And you listened to my cry.

3 You threw me into the Mediterranean Sea. I was in the middle of its waters. They were all around me. All of your rolling waves were sweeping over me.

4 I said, 'I have been driven away from you. But I will look again toward your holy temple in Jerusalem.'

5 I had almost drowned in the waves. The deep waters were all around me. Seaweed was wrapped around my head.

6 I sank down to the bottom of the mountains. I thought I had died and gone down into the grave forever. But you brought my life up from the very edge of the pit. You are the LORD my God.

7 "When my life was nearly over, I remembered you, Lord. My prayer rose up to you. It reached you in your holy temple in heaven.

8 "Some people worship the worthless statues of their gods. They turn away from the grace you want to give them.

9 But I will sacrifice a thank offering to you. And I will sing a song of thanks. I will do what I have promised. Lord, you are the one who saves."

Jonah 2:2-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JONAH 2

This chapter contains the prayer of Jonah, when in the fish's belly; the time when he prayed, the person he prayed unto, and the place where, are suggested in Jon 2:1; and the latter described as a place of great straitness and distress, and even as hell itself, Jon 2:2; The condition he was in, when cast into the sea, and when in the belly of the fish, which is observed, the more to heighten the greatness of the deliverance, Jon 2:3-6. The different frame of mind he was in, sometimes almost in despair, and ready to faint; and presently exercising faith and hope, remembering the goodness of the Lord, and resolving to look again to him, Jon 2:4,7. The gracious regards of God to him, in receiving, hearing, and answering his prayer, and bringing up his life from corruption, Jon 2:2,6,7. His resolution, let others do what they would, to praise the Lord, and give him the glory of his salvation, Jon 2:8,9; and the chapter is concluded with the order for his deliverance, and the manner of it, Jon 2:10.