John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 14:7

"The whole earth is at rest, [and] is quiet: they break forth into singing." — Isaiah 14:7 (ASV)

1. They break forth into singing. Here he shows how greatly tyrants are hated by the whole world. When they are dead or ruined, all people break forth into joy and express the feelings which they previously felt towards the tyrants, and which they concealed through fear. Then their hatred and spite burst forth, and not only do people make known their joy, but even the mute creatures, as the Prophet, for emphasis, adds the fir-trees and the cedars. As tyranny overturns everything, so when tyranny is abolished, everything appears to be restored to its original condition.

   Since you are laid down, no feller has come up against us. To make the passage more energetic, he adds a personification, in which he introduces the trees as speaking and congratulating themselves that, since the tyrant is dead, they will now stand joyfully and at ease.

   The Prophet's purpose is to show that the Heavenly Judge cannot tolerate tyrants, who are abhorred by the whole world. Therefore, we should conclude that, though under the rule of tyrants unhappy people are silent and do not venture to open their mouths, yet the Lord listens to their secret groans. Let us therefore not wonder that tyrants come to such a dismal end, for God, who is a witness of the injuries which they have inflicted, must, in the exercise of His justice, assist the innocent.