Jonah 2:8

8 They that keep vanities, forsake their mercy idly. (Those who worship idols, idly desert thy mercy.)

Jonah 2:8 Meaning and Commentary

Jonah 2:8

They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
] They that worship idols, who are nothing, mere vanity and lies, and deceive those that serve them, these forsake the God of their lives, and of their mercies; and so do all such who serve divers lusts and pleasures, and pursue the vanities of this life; and also those who follow the dictates of carnal sense and reason, to the neglect of the will of God, and obedience to his commands; which was Jonah's case, and is, I think, chiefly intended. The Targum, Syriac version, and so Jarchi, and most interpreters, understand it of worshippers of idols in general; and Kimchi of the mariners of the ship Jonah had been in; who promised to relinquish their idols, but did not; and vowed to serve the Lord, and sacrifice to him, but did not perform what they promised. But I rather think Jonah reflects upon himself in particular, as well as leaves this as a general instruction to others; that should they do as he had done, give way to an evil heart of unbelief, and attend to the suggestions of a vain mind, and consult with flesh and blood, and be directed thereby, to the disregard of God and his will; they will find, as he had done to his cost, that they forsake that God that has been gracious and merciful to them, and who is all goodness and mercy, ( Psalms 144:3 ) ; which to do is very ungrateful to him, and injurious to themselves; and now he being sensible of his folly, and influenced by the grace and goodness of God to him, resolves to do as follows:

Jonah 2:8 In-Context

6 I went down to the uttermost places of hills, the bars of earth (en)closed me (al)together, into without end; and thou, my Lord God, shalt raise up my life from corruption. (I went down to the uttermost places, or the very roots, of the hills, or of the mountains, and there the bars, or the gates, of the earth would have locked me in forever; but thou, my Lord God, raised up my life from corruption.)

7 When my soul was anguished in me, I bethought on the Lord, that my prayer come to thee, to thine holy temple. (And when my soul was anguished within me, I thought about the Lord, and that my prayer would come to thee, in thy holy Temple.)

8 They that keep vanities, forsake their mercy idly. (Those who worship idols, idly desert thy mercy.)

9 But I in voice of praising shall offer to thee; whatever things I vowed, I shall yield to the Lord, for mine health. (But I shall offer to thee, with my words of praise; yea, whatever I have vowed, I shall give to the Lord, for my deliverance, or my salvation.)

10 And the Lord said to the fish, and it casted out Jonah on/to the dry land. (And then the Lord spoke to the fish, and it cast out Jonah on/to the dry land.)