Appendix 1: The Structure of Jonah’s Prayer as a Thanksgiving Psalm in Jonah 2
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Appendix 1: The Structure of Jonah’s Prayer as a Thanksgiving Psalm in Jonah 2
Jonah’s prayer reflects the literary design of a Thanksgiving Psalm (Pss 18; 30; 32; 92; 118; 138). Bruckner writes,
This psalm contains the traditional elements of an individual’s declarative narrative praise to God for deliverance. . . . This kind of thanksgiving was accompanied by a sacrifice (a thank offering, a type of peace offering) to Yahweh that was expected when someone was rescued from death. . . . Narrative todah psalms usually contain the following elements: (1) an introduction, including a summons to praise Yahweh and a summary of the theme; (2) a call to the congregation to praise Yahweh; (3) a narrative account, including the crisis in retrospect and the rescue, often using “I cried,” “you heard,” and “you intervened”; and (4) a vow to praise. (Jonah, 78; see also Allen, Joel, 215)
The visual arrangements in these appendices may be used as supports to aid an audience in understanding the meaning and significance of Jonah 2. The reader would do well to keep in mind that the entire record of Jonah 2, as well as that of the entire book, was made outside of the fish after Jonah was delivered. Images of a Pinocchio-like fire inside of the fish in which Jonah could record his thoughts should be disassociated with this chapter and the analysis.
| Structure of Thanksgiving Psalm | Jonah 2 Restructured as Thanksgiving Psalm |
|---|---|
| An Introduction and Vow to Praise(8-9a) | 8 Those who cling to worthless idols forsake faithful love, 9 but as for me, I will sacrifice to You with a voice of thanksgiving. I will fulfill what I have vowed. |
| Summons to Praise Yahweh (9b) | 9b Salvation is from the Lord! |
| Narrative Account (2-7) | 2 I called to the Lord in my distress,and He answered me. I cried out for help in the belly of Sheol; You heard my voice. 3 You threw me into the depths, into the heart of the seas, and the current overcame me. All Your breakers and Your billows swept over me. 4 But I said: I have been banished from Your sight, yet I will look once more toward Your holy temple. 5 The waters engulfed me up to the neck; the watery depths overcame me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. 6 I sank to the foundations of the mountains; the earth with its prison bars closed behind me forever! But You raised my life from the Pit, Lord my God! 7 As my life was fading away, I remembered Yahweh. My prayer came to You, to Your holy temple. |
| Vow of Praise 9a | (Verse 9a repeats a vow of praise, possibly as a refrain.) |