Isaiah 14:11 - Exposition

The noise of thy viols . (On the fondness of the Babylonians for music, and the number and variety of their musical instruments, see Daniel 3:7 , Daniel 3:10 , etc.) The word here translated "viol" is more commonly rendered "psaltery." (On the probable character of the instrument intended, see note on Isaiah 5:12 .) The worm is spread under thee , etc.; rather, beneath thee is spread the maggot , and the worm covereth thee . The thought of the grave brings the thought of corruption with it. For cushion and for coverlet the royal corpse has only the loathsome creatures which come with putrescence. At this point the second stanza terminates.