Commentary on Jonah, Micah, Nahum

1And Jonah prayed to Jehovah his God from the belly of the fish,

2And said, — I cried in my distress to Jehovah, and he heard me; (75) From the belly of the grave I cried, thou didst hear my voice.

3But cast me hadst thou into the deep, Into the midst of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; All thy billows and waves over me passed:

4Then I said, — “I am driven from the sight of thine eyes; But I would again see the temple of thy holiness.”

5Beset me did the waters even to the soul, The deep on every side surrounded me, The sedge was wrapped around my head:

6To the roots of the mountains I descended, The earth with its bars was around me forever: But to ascend hast thou made my life from the grave, O Jehovah my God.

7When fail did my soul within me, Jehovah did I remember, And enter did my prayer into the temple of thy holiness.

8They who observe lying vanities, Their own mercy forsake: (87)

9But I, with the voice of praise, will sacrifice to thee; What I have vowed will I pay: To Jehovah belongs salvation.

10And Jehovah commanded the fish, and it cast forth Jonah on the dry land.