2:1–9 Jonah’s reaction to his deliverance is finally to utter the prayer that he has so far been unable to utter (cf. the comment at 1:6). What is more, the prayer is prayed to the LORD his God, 2:1. The prayer that we find in 2:2–9 is a typical song of thanksgiving with which any pious Israelite could identify. The type is found frequently in the Psalter (Ps. 30; 32; 34; 92; 116; 118; 138). While this passage in Jonah alters the typical structure to some extent, such songs of thanksgiving were made up of an introduction (v. 2), a description of distress or trouble in which the psalmist found himself (vv. 3–6b), a report of God’s deliverance (v. 6cd), and a conclusion that sometimes included reference to a vow (v. 9). The songs were sung in response to some specific deed of deliverance, an…