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Song of Jonah

O Lord, turn back my wandering feet

The hymn applies Old Testament typology to New Testament fulfillment, presenting Jonah's deliverance as foreshadowing Christ's resurrection. It teaches that God's mercy triumphs over human sin and rebellion, making Christ's rising the ground of the believer's salvation and assurance.

History & Background

Henry Hoeltke composed this hymn for inclusion in Lutheran Service Book (2006). The text deliberately parallels Jonah's prayer in the belly of the fish with Christ's resurrection as the ultimate sign of God's salvation and the believer's hope.

Paraphrasing Jonah 2, Calvin Seerveld wrote “Song Scripture References ofJonah” in 1982 for the Psalter Hymnal. Long-known in st. 1 =Jon. 2:1-4 medieval liturgies as one of the “lesser” Old Testament st. 2 = Jon. 2:5-6 canticles, Jonah’s song is a psalm of thanksgiving similar in st. 3 = Jon. 2:7-9 literary form and theme to Psalms 18, 30,116, and 138, to give st. 4 = Matt. 12:40 just a few examples. Jonah recalls his prayer for help to God, 1 Cor. 15:20-28 testifies that God answered his prayer and rescued him from Rom. 8:9-11 drowning (st. 1-2), and honors his vow to praise and thank the Rev. 1:17-18 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.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Lutheran Service Book — 985
  • Psalter Hymnal — 202

Liturgical Use

Worship services focusing on Jonah; Easter Vigil; Easter Sunday.

Bulletin Note

Written by Henry H. Hoeltke in 1982, this Long Meter hymn applies Old Testament typology to Easter faith, presenting Jonah's three days in the fish as a foreshadowing of Christ's resurrection and God's triumphant mercy.

Preaching Connection

This hymn's typology—Jonah's deliverance prefiguring Christ's resurrection—transforms the Law's exposure of human rebellion into Gospel proclamation: our risen Lord is the sure foundation of forgiveness and new life.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From human vulnerability and seeking aid (Law) to divine vigilance and protection (Gospel); movement from question to assurance

Themes

Repentance and turning toward God Divine mercy overcoming sin Resurrection and new life God's faithfulness despite human failure

Look Further