Jonah's Prayer

1From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the Lord his God:

2When I was in trouble, Lord,

I prayed to you,

and you listened to me.

From deep in the world

of the dead,

I begged for your help,

and you answered my prayer.

3You threw me down

to the bottom of the sea.

The water was churning

all around;

I was completely covered

by your mighty waves.

4I thought I was swept away

from your sight,

never again to see

your holy temple.

5I was almost drowned

by the swirling waters

that surrounded me.

Seaweed had wrapped

around my head.

6I had sunk down deep

below the mountains

beneath the sea.

I knew that forever,

I would be a prisoner there.

But, you, Lord God,

rescued me from that pit.

7When my life was slipping away,

I remembered you—

and in your holy temple

you heard my prayer.

8All who worship worthless idols

turn from the God

who offers them mercy.

9But with shouts of praise,

I will offer a sacrifice

to you, my Lord.

I will keep my promise,

because you are the one

with power to save.

10 The Lord commanded the fish to vomit up Jonah on the shore. And it did.