The waters compassed me about, [even] to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.
Ver. 5. The waters compassed me about, even to the soul] That is, usque ad animae deliquium, till I laboured for life, and was as good as gone.
The depth closed me round about] See Trapp on " Jon 2:3 " and further observe, that God's dear children may fall into desperate and deadly dangers, see Psalms 18:3; Psalms 88:3; Psalms 116:3. And this for, 1. Prevention, 2. Purgation, 3. Probation, 4. Preparations to further both mercies and duties. Let us not therefore censure ourselves or others as hated of God, because greatly distressed; but encourage ourselves in them, as did David at Ziklag, 1 Samuel 30:6. The right hand of the Lord shall change all this.
“ Flebile principium melior fortuna sequetur. ”
The weeds were wrapped about mine head] Alga as Alligando. The weeds which the fish had devoured, or whereunto the fish, wherein I was, had dived and lain down among them. Or this might befall Jonah in the bottom of the sea, before the fish had swallowed him; for weeds easily wrap about those that swim, or are drowned.