Verse 1: "Go to Nineveh, that great city," The word of God came clear, "Cry out against their wickedness," But Jonah fled in fear. To Tarshish he would sail away, In the opposite direction, Running from the presence of Jehovah, Refusing his commission. Chorus: The reluctant prophet, running away, But you can't outrun God's call. In the belly of the fish three days, He'd learn to trust through it all. "Salvation belongs to Jehovah," He cried from the deep, And God gave the city another chance, His mercy runs so deep. Verse 2: A violent storm arose at sea, The sailors cast their lots, "It's because of me," Jonah confessed, "Throw me into the waters' spots." A great fish swallowed him whole, Three days and nights inside, He prayed from the depths of Sheol, With nowhere left to hide. Chorus: The reluctant prophet, running away, But you can't outrun God's call. In the belly of the fish three days, He'd learn to trust through it all. "Salvation belongs to Jehovah," He cried from the deep, And God gave the city another chance, His mercy runs so deep. Bridge: The fish vomited him on dry land, "Go to Nineveh," God said again, This time Jonah obeyed the command, "Forty days and it will end!" The people believed and turned from sin, From the greatest to the least, And God relented from the disaster, His compassion never ceased. Final Chorus: The reluctant prophet, learned that day, You can't outrun God's call. In the belly of the fish three days, He learned to trust through it all. "Salvation belongs to Jehovah," He cried from the deep, And God gave the city another chance, His mercy runs so deep. "Should I not care for Nineveh?" God's heart for all to see, The reluctant prophet learned at last, God's mercy is for all, even enemies.
