5 For the lord has crushed your wicked powerand broken your evil rule.
6 You struck the people with endless blows of rageand held the nations in your angry gripwith unrelenting tyranny.
7 But finally the earth is at rest and quiet.Now it can sing again!
8 Even the trees of the forest—the cypress trees and the cedars of Lebanon—sing out this joyous song:‘Since you have been cut down,no one will come now to cut us down!’
9 “In the place of the dead there is excitementover your arrival.The spirits of world leaders and mighty kings long deadstand up to see you.
10 With one voice they all cry out,‘Now you are as weak as we are!
11 Your might and power were buried with you.The sound of the harp in your palace has ceased.Now maggots are your sheet,and worms your blanket.’