Jonah 2

Occasionally, I like to try to meter a passage of Scripture. This one is common meter. I like the tune Clairvaux which may be found here.

Distressed, I called unto the Lord:
In grace, He answered me-
When in the clutch of death I cried,
He heard my feeble plea.

For you, Oh Lord, my soul had cast
Into the seas' dark midst.
The deep-the current swallowed up,
The billows 'round me hissed.

'Twas then I said, "Though from Your sight,
It seems that I am cast,
Yet will I turn my eyes up toward
Your holy temple fast."

"Though brought unto the point of death,
By this Your watery deep-
Though weeds did choke and all the earth,
Did bear down over me-"

"Yet You have raised me from the pit,
Where life had ebbed away-
The LORD I now remember well,
To You my prayers I raise."

Your temple is the place of prayer-
False idols lead astray,
And those who follow after them,
Forsake the righteous way.

But I will sacrifice to You,
Thanksgiving will afford,
And what I vowed I will repay-
Salvation's of the LORD.