Jonah's Prayer

In my distress I called to the Lord,

and he answered me.

From the depths of the grace I called for help.

and you listened to my cry.

You hurled me into the deep, 

into the very heart of the seas,

and the currents swirled about me;

all your waves and breakers swept over me.

I said, I have been banished from your sight;

Yet I will look again to your holy temple.

The engulfing waters threatened me, 

the deep surrounded me;

seaweed was wrapped around my head.

To the roots of the mountains I sunk down;

the earth beneath barred me in forever.

But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God.

When my life was ebbed away, I remembered you, Lord.

and my prayer rose to you holy temple.

Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit

the grace that could be theirs.

But I, with a song of thanksgiving will sacrifice for you.

What I have vowed, I will make good.

Salvation comes from the Lord.  

~Jonah 2:1-9