Jonah 2

6. bottoms of . . . mountains--their extremities where they terminate in the hidden depths of the sea. Compare Psalms 18:7 , "the foundations of the hills" ( Psalms 18:15 ).
earth with her bars was about me--Earth, the land of the living, is (not "was") shut against me.
for ever--so far as any effort of mine can deliver me.
yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption--rather, "Thou bringest . . . from the pit" [MAURER]. As in the previous clauses he expresses the hopelessness of his state, so in this, his sure hope of deliverance through Jehovah's infinite resources. "Against hope he believes in hope," and speaks as if the deliverance were actually being accomplished. Hezekiah seems to have incorporated Jonah's very words in his prayer ( Isaiah 38:17 ), just as Jonah appropriated the language of the Psalms.

7. soul fainted . . . I remembered the Lord--beautifully exemplifying the triumph of spirit over flesh, of faith over sense ( Psalms 73:26 , 42:6 ). For a time troubles shut out hope; but faith revived when Jonah "remembered the Lord," what a gracious God He is, and how now He still preserves his life and consciousness in his dark prison-house.
into thine holy temple--the temple at Jerusalem ( Jonah 2:4 ). As there he looks in believing prayer towards it, so here he regards his prayer as already heard.

8. observe lying vanities--regard or reverence idols, powerless to save ( Psalms 31:6 ).
mercy--Jehovah, the very idea of whom is identified now in Jonah's mind with mercy and loving-kindness. As the Psalmist ( Psalms 144:2 ) styles Him, "my goodness"; God who is to me all beneficence. Compare Psalms 59:17 , "the God of my mercy," literally, "my kindness-God." Jonah had "forsaken His own mercy," God, to flee to heathen lands where "lying vanities" (idols) were worshipped. But now, taught by his own preservation in conscious life in the fish's belly, and by the inability of the mariners idols to lull the storm ( Jonah 1:5 ), estrangement from God seems estrangement from his own happiness ( Jeremiah 2:13 , 17:13 ). Prayer has been restrained in Jonah's case, so that he was "fast asleep" in the midst of danger, heretofore; but now prayer is the sure sign of his return to God.

9. I will sacrifice . . . thanksgiving--In the believing anticipation of sure deliverance, he offers thanksgivings already. So Jehoshaphat ( 2 Chronicles 20:21 ) appointed singers to praise the Lord in front of the army before the battle with Moab and Ammon, as if the victory was already gained. God honors such confidence in Him. There is also herein a mark of sanctified affliction, that he vows amendment and thankful obedience ( Psalms 119:67 ).

10. upon the dry land--probably on the coast of Palestine.