Jonah 2:1-8

1 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly,

2 and said, I cried by reason of my tribulation unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and thou didst hear my voice.

3 For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about; all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.

4 Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will see thy holy temple again.

5 The waters compassed me about, even to the soul, the depth closed me round about; the weeds were wrapped about my head.

6 I descended to the roots of the mountains; the earth put her bars about me for ever; yet thou hast brought up my life out of the grave, O LORD my God.

7 When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer entered in unto thee in thy holy temple.

8 Those that observe lying vanities forsake his mercy.

Jonah 2:1-8 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.