Matthew Henry Commentary Jeremiah 49:23-27

"Of Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad; for they have heard evil tidings, they are melted away: there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet. Damascus is waxed feeble, she turneth herself to flee, and trembling hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken hold of her, as of a woman in travail. How is the city of praise not forsaken, the city of my joy? Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be brought to silence in that day, saith Jehovah of hosts. And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall devour the palaces of Ben-hadad." — Jeremiah 49:23-27 (ASV)

How easily God can dispirit those nations that have been most celebrated for valour! Damascus grows feeble. It was a city of joy, having all the delights of humankind. But those deceive themselves who place their happiness in carnal joys.