Matthew Poole and continuators on Jonah 2:9

9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving , I will pay that that I have vowed : salvation is of the LORD .

Ionah here doth intimate his adherence to God, his assurance that he should find God to be a fountain of mercy to him, that God would hear his prayer.

In most solemn manner recognize the mercy I receive, I shall have just ground to do it, and I will certainly be just to the mercy of my God and do it; who wait on Gods that cannot deliver, shall never have cause to sacrifice to them, if they do the thing they do sacrilegiously rob God.

Excluding all others, who shall have as little share in the praise as they had in the thing for which praise is offered.

Including the heart also; for such is the sacrifice with which God is best pleased, Psal. 50.14, 23. and 116.17. Hos. 14.2. Heb. 13.15.

Vows are, when made, debts we owe to God, and must▪ as just debts, be paid.

It is not said what 'twas he had vowed, probably 'twas a more obedient heart and deportment, likely he resolveth to go to Nineveh and preach what God commandeth him▪ he will perform his promise to the Lord in all things he did engage to do.

Power to save, and actual deliverance from all dangers, in all distresses, when none of the Gods the Marriners invoked, neither any one apart, nor yet all together could quiet [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 letter]empest, and save from the danger of the Sea, Ionahs God could do both, he could by his own single power deliver Ionah out of the Belly of hell.

He onely can save, none else can as he can, Psal. 3.8. and 68.20.