Jonah 2

Jonah 2:1

OUt of the fishes belly] Being now swallowed up of death, and seeing no remedy to escape, his faith brast out unto the Lord, knowing that out of this very hell he was able to deliver him.

Jonah 2:2

And said] This prayer, which containes the Prophets conceits and motions whilest he was in the fish, was set down in writing by him after his deliverance: with the addition of thankesgiving: see on Psalms 142:1.

I cried] Psalms 120:1.

by reason of mine affliction] Or, out of mine affliction.

hell cried I] Or, the grave. Heb. sheol. For he was in the fishes belly, as in a grave or place of darknesse.

Jonah 2:3

midst of the seas] Heb. heart.

Jonah 2:4

I am cast out of thy sight] This declareth what his prayer was, and how he laboured between hope and despaire, considering the neglect of his vocation and Gods judgements for the same: but yet in the end faith gat the victory.

Jonah 2:5

even to the soul] Bringing me into danger of present death. See Psalms 69:1.

the weeds were wrapt about my head] To wit, which the fish had swallowed.

Jonah 2:6

bottoms of the mountains] Heb. cuttings off.

barres] A terme taken from prisoners. The meaning is, I am in the Sea as it were in a strong prison; shut up and barred from the earth on all sides.

for ever] Unlesse thou dost miraculously relieve me.

yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption] Or, the pit. Thou hast delivered me from the belly of the fish, and all these dangers, as it were raising me from death to life.

Jonah 2:7

holy temple] To wit, into heaven, Gods dwelling place in glory: the representation whereof was in the Temple of Jerusalem.

Jonah 2:8

lying vanities] They that depend upon any thing save upon God alone.

own mercy] They refuse their own felicitie, and that goodnesse which they should else receive of God.

Jonah 2:9

thanksgiving] Psal. 50. 14, 23. and 116. 17. Hosea 14:2. Hebrews 13:15.

salvation is of the LORD] Psalms 3:8.