Song of Jonah

Top Media Versifier Text Info Notes Tune Instances

In the fish for three days buried

Versifier: Calvin Seerveld (1982)
Tune: EIFIONYDD
Published in 1 hymnal

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative text cannot be shown for this hymn due to copyright.

Versifier: Calvin Seerveld

Calvin Seerveld (b. 1930) was professor of aesthetics at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto from 1972 until he retired in 1995. Educated at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; the University of Michigan; and the Free University of Amsterdam (Ph.D.), he also studied at Basel University in Switzerland, the University of Rome, and the University of Heidelberg. Seerveld began his career by teaching at Bellhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi (1958-1959), and at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois (1959-1972). A fine Christian scholar, fluent in various biblical and modern languages, he is published widely in aesthetics, biblical studies, and philosophy. His books include Take Hold of God and Pull (1966), The Gr… Go to person page >

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First Line:	In the fish for three days buried
Title:	Song of Jonah
Versifier:	Calvin Seerveld (1982)
Meter:	8.7.8.7 D
Language:	English
Copyright:	© Calvin Seerveld

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Notes

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Jon. 2:14
st. 2 = Jon. 2:5-6
st. 3 = Jon. 2:7-9
st. 4 = Matt. 12:40 1 Cor. 15:20-28 Rom. 8:9-11 Rev. 1:17-18

Paraphrasing Jonah 2, Calvin Seerveld (PHH 22) wrote "Song of Jonah" in 1982 for the Psalter Hymnal. Long-known in medieval liturgies as one of the "lesser" Old Testament canticles, Jonah's song is a psalm of thanksgiving similar in literary form and theme to Psalms 18, 30,116, and 138, to give just a few examples. Jonah recalls his prayer for help to God, testifies that God answered his prayer and rescued him from drowning (st. 1-2), and honors his vow to praise and thank the LORD (st. 3). Seerveld also included a fourth stanza to capture New Testament references related to the Jonah story, especially in terms of the death and resurrection of Christ: Matthew 12:38-40; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28; Romans 8:9-11; and Revelation 1:17-18.

Liturgical Use:
Worship services focusing on Jonah; Easter Vigil; Easter Sunday.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

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Tune

EIFIONYDD

John Ambrose Lloyd (b. Mold, Flintshire, Wales, 1815; d. Liverpool, England, 1874) [composed] EIFIONYDD. The tune...appeared in Ieuan Gwyllt's (John Roberts's) important tune book Llyfr Tonau Cynulleidfaol (1859). Largely self-taught, Lloyd was a major presence in the Welsh music scene of his day. H…

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