Seaweed Was Wrapped Around My Head

Jonah's Prayer

 ¹ From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. 

² He said:      

  "In my distress I called to the LORD, 

       and he answered me. 
       From the depths of the grave I called for help, 
       and you listened to my cry.

 ³ 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.

 ⁴ I said, 'I have been banished 
       from your sight; 
       yet I will look again 
       toward your holy temple.'

 ⁵ The engulfing waters threatened me,
       the deep surrounded me; 
       seaweed was wrapped around my head.

 ⁶ To the roots of the mountains I sank down; 
       the earth beneath barred me in forever. 
       But you brought my life up from the pit, 
       O LORD my God.

 ⁷ "When my life was ebbing away, 
       I remembered you, LORD, 
       and my prayer rose to you, 
       to your holy temple.

 ⁸ "Those who cling to worthless idols 
       forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

 ⁹ But I, with a song of thanksgiving, 
       will sacrifice to you. 
       What I have vowed I will make good. 
       Salvation comes from the LORD."

 ¹⁰ And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.