Jonah 2
Prayer of Thanksgiving

 See the chiastic literary structure below.
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Text	Comments
1 ¶ Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,  2  And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest 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.	2 - Hell Hebrew, sheol. Generally understood by the people of God to be the grave.   3 - Into the deep The experience of trial for Jesus Christ would follow this pattern mt1240.
4  Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.  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 went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.  7  When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. .8  They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.  9  But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD. .10 ¶ And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.    4  - Yet I will look toward the temple The Septuagint has this as a question. A difference in the Hebrew vowel pointing agrees. This reading seems better. On vowel pointing see note at Joshua 3.   6 - Earth From eres which is usually translated, "land." This may be a reference of the land of sheol v2. See on pr1511.    6 - Forever The time was three days and three nights according to 1:17. It was a long time to be in such a condition and it seemed to be permanent. See on re2010b-co.     10 - Lord spake to the fish Nature obeys God. It's not the other way around. Image © GoodSalt

The Lord provided a fish to swallow Jonah [from the sea], 1:17
    Jonah prayed; the Lord answered my call for help 2:1, 2.
        Thrown into the deep, the heart of the seas, 2:3.
            I have been banished but I will look again to your temple, 2:4.
                Imprisoned but you brought my life up from the pit. 2:6.
            With life ebbing, I remembered and my prayer went to your holy temple, 2:7.
        The waters engulfed me; I sank down but you brought me up, 2:8.
    Those who cling to idols forfeit grace; salvation comes from the Lord 2:8, 9.
The Lord commanded the fish to vomit Jonah on dry land, 2:10