Isaiah 14:8

Modern

Even the cypresses and cedars of Lebanon exult over you: “Since you have been laid low, no woodcutter comes against us.”

Traditional

Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.

Literal

…even the cypress trees rejoice over you, the cedars of Lebanon: “Since you have been laid low, the cutter has not come up against us.”

Latin

…abietes quoque lætatæ sunt super te, et cedri Libani: ex quo dormisti, non ascendet qui succidat nos.

Hebrew

English

Even the cypresses and cedars of Lebanon exult over you: “Since you have been laid low, no woodcutter comes against us.”

The land and people will be peaceful and calm because the oppression has ended and the king of Babylon has died.
All of creation will join in praise, able to sing again (see also Isaiah 42:11; 44:23; compare Romans 8:22).

This taunting song about the king of Babylon is written like a funeral song. It speaks as if the king has already died.

The song mocks him and announces his downfall (compare Revelation 18).

Theme notes and profiles

Ezekiel 31:16
I made the nations quake at the sound of its downfall, when I cast it down to Sheol with those who descend to the Pit. Then all the trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, all the well-watered trees, were consoled in the earth below.
Isaiah 55:12–13
You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Zechariah 11:2
Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen; the majestic trees are ruined! Wail, O oaks of Bashan, for the dense forest has been cut down!

Lebanon: A mountainous region known for its cedar trees