John Gill Commentary Isaiah 23:16

"Take a harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered." — Isaiah 23:16 (ASV)

Take a harp, go about the city
As harlots used to do, that by their music, both vocal and instrumental, they might allure men into their company to commit fornication with them; so Tyre is directed to, or rather this is a prophecy that she should take very artful and ensnaring methods to restore her commerce and merchandise:

you harlot that have been forgotten; (See Gill on Isaiah 23:15):

make sweet melody ;
or, "do well by striking" ^F11 ; that is, the harp in her hand; strike it well with art and skill, so as to make melody, and give pleasure:

sing many songs ;
or, "multiply a song" ^F12 ; sing one after another, till the point is carried aimed at:

that you mayest be remembered ;
men may look at you again, and trade with you as formerly, who had been so long forgotten and neglected.

---

FOOTNOTES:

• F11: (Ngn ybyjh) "benefac pulsando", Junius; "belle pulsa", Piscator.
• F12: (ryv ybrh) "multiplica cantum", Piscator.