Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 14:11

"Thy pomp is brought down to Sheol, [and] the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and worms cover thee." — Isaiah 14:11 (ASV)

Your pomp - Your magnificence (see the note at Isaiah 5:14).

The noise of your viols - Instruments of music were often used in their feasts. The meaning here is that instead of being surrounded with splendor and instruments of music, the monarch was now brought down to the corruption and stillness of the grave.

The instrument referred to by the word ‘viol’ (נבל nēbel — plural נבלים nebalı̂ym — Greek νάβλα nabla — Latin nablium) was a stringed instrument, usually with twelve strings, and played by the plectrum or by hand (see the notes and illustrations on Isaiah 5:12).

Additional force is given to all these expressions if they are read, as Lowth reads them, as questions asked in surprise and in a taunting manner over the haughty king of Babylon: ‘Is your pride then brought down to the grave?’ etc.

The worm - This word, in Hebrew (רמה rimmâh), denotes a worm that is found in putrid substances (Exodus 16:25; Job 7:5; Job 21:26).

Is spread under you - Has become your couch, instead of the gorgeous couch on which you were accustomed to repose.

And the worm - (תולעה tôlê‛âh) - This is the same word that occurs in Isaiah 1:18 and is rendered there as “crimson” (see the note on that verse). This word is usually applied to the insect from which the crimson dye was obtained, but it is also applied to the worm that preys upon the dead (Exodus 16:20; Isaiah 66:24).

Cover you - Instead of the splendid covering that was over you when reposing on your couch in your palace.

What could be more humiliating than this language? How striking the contrast between his present situation and that in which he reposed in Babylon!

And yet this language is as applicable to all others as to that proud and haughty king. It is equally true of the great and mighty everywhere—of the rich, the frivolous, the beautiful, and the proud who lie on beds of down—that they will soon lie where worms shall be their couch and their covering.

How ought this reflection to humble our pride!

How it should lead us to be prepared for that hour when the grave will be our bed, and when, far away from the sound of the viol and the harp, from the sweet voice of friendship and the noise of revelry, we will mingle with our native dust!