5 The Lord breaks the scepter of evil rulers.He takes away their power.
6 The king of Babylon beat people in anger.He beat them again and again.He ruled the people in anger.He kept on doing terrible things to the people.
7 But now, the whole land rests and is quiet.Now the people begin to sing.
8 Even the pine trees are happy.And the cedar trees of Lebanon rejoice.They say, “The king has fallen.No one will ever cut us down again.”
9 The place of the dead is excitedto meet you when you come.It wakes the spirits of the dead to greet you.They were the leaders of the world.It makes dead kings stand up from their thrones to greet you.They were rulers of nations.
10 All these leaders will make fun of you.They will say,“Now you are weak, as we are.Now you are just like us.”
11 Your pride has been sent down to where the dead are.The music from your harps goes with it.Flies are spread out like your bed beneath you.And worms cover your body like a blanket.