Jonah 2:4

Then I said, &c. The first clause of this verse may, perhaps, be a reminiscence of the first clause of Psalms 31:22 (Heb. 23), though there the words "in my haste" are added, and a different verb ("cut off" instead of "cast out") is used. "Jonah substitutes the stronger word, I am cast forth, driven forth, expelled, like the mire and dirt(Isaiah 57:20), which the waves drive along, or like the waves themselves in their restless motion (ib.), or the heathen (the word is the same) whom God had driven out before Israel (Exodus 34:11), or as Adam from Paradise. (Genesis 3:24.)" Pusey.

thy holy temple Not the heavenly temple or dwelling-place of God, but the literal temple. This is not, however, an expression of Jonah's confident belief that, outcast as he now seemed to be, he would certainly be delivered, and visit again, and behold once more with his bodily eyes the temple on Mount Sion. It is the then present thought and resolution with which, when he said "I am cast out of Thy sight," he corrected and overcame his unbelieving despondency. "One thing is left me still, one resource is still open to me, I will still pray, I will look (mentally) yet again towards Thy holy temple." The phrase "to look towards the temple," denoting prayer, has its origin in the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the Temple. See 1 Kings 8:29-30; 1 Kings 8:48, and comp. Daniel 6:10. The fact that Jonah was a prophet of the Northern Kingdom is no valid objection to this view. The Temple on Mount Sion was the only centreof the true worship of Jehovah, and was recognised as such by all faithful Israelites. But it would be enough to say with Calvin, "He had been circumcised, he had been a worshipper of God from his youth, he had been educated in the Law, he had been a constant participator in the sacrifies: under the name of the Temple he briefly comprehends all these things."