Chorus mysticus: For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (M t. 12:40)
(The sign of Jonah)
Chorus I: Watchman, what of the night? (Isa. 21:11)
Chorus II: Watchman, what of the night?
Chorus I: The morning cometh, and also the night; if ye will inquire, inquire; return, come. (Isa. 21:12)
Choruses: Watchman, what of the night?
Chorus: It is because of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. (Lam. 3:22) A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench. (Isa. 42:3) It is because of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Jonah: I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the midst of the seas, all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; I will never look again toward thine holy temple, never... The waters compassed me about, even to the soul; the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth, with its bars, was about me forever; yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption O Lord, my God! When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. (Jon. 2:2-7)
Bass: For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou permit thine Holy One to see corruption (Ps. 16:10)
Tenor: Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou permit thine Holy One to see corruption.
Jonah: Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever, forever... (Ps. 73:25-26)
Soprano: O that I had a thousand tongues
Chorus: and a mouth that thou makest thousandfold
Soloists and chorus: Then I would sing from the depth of my heart praises unto my God (New Psalter No. 41)
Chorus: I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my God. (Ps. 18:1-2)
Forward Scene III Ecclesia
Back to the Scene I Jonah's Mission