THEN - (“And”) Jonah prayed, i. e., when the three days and nights were passed, he uttered this devotion. The word “prayed” includes thanksgiving, not petition only. It is said of Hannah that she “prayed” 1 Samuel 2:1; but her canticle is all one thanksgiving without a single petition. In this thank... [ Continue Reading ]
I CRIED BY REASON OF MINE AFFLICTION - , or, “out of affliction” which came “to me.” So the Psalmist thanked God in the same words, though in a different order ; “To the Lord in trouble to me I called, and He heard me.” He “called,” and God heard and answered , “He does not say, I “call,” but I “cal... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOU HADST (“DIDST”) CAST ME INTO THE DEEP - Jonah continues to describe the extremity of peril, from which God had already delivered him. Sweet is the memory of perils past. For they speak of God’s Fatherly care. Sweet is it, to the prophet to tell God of His mercies; but this is sweet only to... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM CAST OUT OF THY SIGHT - , literally, “from before Thine eyes.” Jonah had willfully withdrawn from standing in God’s presence. Now God had taken him at his word, and, as it seemed, cast him out of it. David had said in his haste, “I am cut off.” Jonah substitutes the stronger word, “I am cast fo... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WATERS COMPASSED ME ABOUT EVEN TO THE SOUL - Words which to others were figures of distress (Psalms 69:2. See the introduction to Jonah), “the waters have come even to the soul,” were to Jonah realities. Sunk in the deep seas, the water strove to penetrate at every opening. To draw breath, which... [ Continue Reading ]
I WENT DOWN TO THE BOTTOMS, (LITERALLY “THE CUTTINGS OFF”) OF THE MOUNTAINS - , the “roots” as the Chaldee and we call them, the hidden rocks, which the mountains push out, as it were, into the sea, and in which they end. Such hidden rocks extend along the whole length of that coast. These were his... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN MY SOLD FAINTED - , literally “was covered, within me,” was dizzied, overwhelmed. The word is used of actual faintness from heat, Jonah 4:8. thirst, Amos 8:13. exhaustion, Isaiah 51:20. when a film comes over the eyes, and the brain is, as it were, mantled over. The soul of the pious never is s... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY THAT OBSERVE LYING VANITIES - , i. e., (by the force of the Hebrew form , that diligently watch, pay deference to, court, sue, “vanities of vanities,” vain things, which prove themselves vain at last, failing the hopes which trust in them. Such were actual idols, in which men openly professed t... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT (AND) WITH THE VOICE OF THANKSGIVING WILL I (WOULD I FAIN) SACRIFICE UNTO THEE; WHAT I HAVE VOWED, I WOULD PAY - He does not say, I will, for it did not depend upon him. Without a further miracle of God, he could do nothing. But he says, that he would nevermore forsake God. The law appointed sac... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO THE FISH - Psalms 148:8. Wind and storm fulfill His word. The irrational creatures have wills. God had commanded the prophet, and he disobeyed. God, in some way, commanded the fish. He laid His will upon it, and the fish immediately obeyed; a pattern to the prophet when He re... [ Continue Reading ]