How the oppressor has come to an end!

how the turmoil has ended!

5The Lord has broken the rod of the wicked,

the staff of the tyrantse

6That struck the peoples in wrath

with relentless blows;

That ruled the nations in anger,

with boundless persecution.f

7The whole earth rests peacefully,

song breaks forth;

8The very cypresses rejoice over you,

the cedars of Lebanon:

“Now that you are laid to rest,

no one comes to cut us down.”g

9Below, Sheol is all astir

preparing for your coming;

Awakening the shades to greet you,

all the leaders of the earth;

Making all the kings of the nations

rise from their thrones.

10All of them speak out

and say to you,

“You too have become weak like us,

you are just like us!

11Down to Sheol your pomp is brought,

the sound of your harps.

Maggots are the couch beneath you,

worms your blanket.”h

12How you have fallen from the heavens,

O Morning Star,* son of the dawn!

How you have been cut down to the earth,

you who conquered nations!i

13In your heart you said:

“I will scale the heavens;

Above the stars of God*

I will set up my throne;

I will take my seat on the Mount of Assembly,

on the heights of Zaphon.j

14I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;

I will be like the Most High!”k

15No! Down to Sheol you will be brought

to the depths of the pit!l

16When they see you they will stare,

pondering over you:

“Is this the man who made the earth tremble,

who shook kingdoms?

17Who made the world a wilderness,

razed its cities,

and gave captives no release?”

18All the kings of the nations lie in glory,

each in his own tomb;m

19But you are cast forth without burial,

like loathsome carrion,

Covered with the slain, with those struck by the sword,

a trampled corpse,

Going down to the very stones of the pit.n

20You will never be together with them in the grave,

For you have ruined your land,

you have slain your people!

Let him never be named,

that offshoot of evil!

21Make ready to slaughter his sons

for the guilt of their fathers;o

Lest they rise and possess the earth,

and fill the breadth of the world with cities.*