16 Sheol is the proper name of the subterranean world which was regarded as the land of the dead.
17 Heb “arousing.” The form is probably a Polel infinitive absolute, rather than a third masculine singular perfect, for Sheol is grammatically feminine (note “stirred up”). See §145.t.
18 Heb “all the rams of the earth.” The animal epithet is used metaphorically here for leaders. See *עַתּוּד.
19 Heb “lifting from their thrones all the kings of the nations.” הֵקִים (heqim, a Hiphil perfect third masculine singular) should be emended to an infinitive absolute (הָקֵים, haqem). See the note on “rouses” earlier in the verse.
20 Or “pride” (, ); , , “pomp.”
21 Or “harps” (, , ).
22 Heb “under you maggots are spread out, and worms are your cover.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Sheol beneath is stirred up

to meet you when you come;

it rouses the shades to greet you,

all who were leaders of the earth;

it raises from their thrones

all who were kings of the nations.

All of them will answer

and say to you:

‘You too have become as weak as we!

You have become like us!’

Your pomp is brought down to Sheol,

the sound of your harps;

maggots are laid as a bed beneath you,

and worms are your covers.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

The realm of the dead below is all astir

to meet you at your coming;

it rouses the spirits of the departed to greet you—

all those who were leaders in the world;

it makes them rise from their thrones—

all those who were kings over the nations.

They will all respond,

they will say to you,

“You also have become weak, as we are;

you have become like us.”

All your pomp has been brought down to the grave,

along with the noise of your harps;

maggots are spread out beneath you

and worms cover you.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Sheol below is eager to greet your coming,

stirring up the spirits of the departed for you—

all the rulers of the earth—

making all the kings of the nations

rise from their thrones.

They all respond to you, saying,

“You too have become as weak as we are;

you have become like us!

Your splendor has been brought down to Sheol,

along with the music of your harps.

Maggots are spread out under you,

and worms cover you.”

NLTNew Living Translation

“In the place of the dead there is excitement

over your arrival.

The spirits of world leaders and mighty kings long dead

stand up to see you.

With one voice they all cry out,

‘Now you are as weak as we are!

Your might and power were buried with you.

The sound of the harp in your palace has ceased.

Now maggots are your sheet,

and worms your blanket.’

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Sheol below is getting excited over you,

to meet you when you come;

it arouses the dead spirits for you,

all of the leaders of the earth.

It raises all of the kings of the nations from their thrones.

All of them will respond and say to you,

‘You yourself also were made weak like us!

You have become the same as us!’

Your pride is brought down to Sheol,

and the sound of your harps;

maggots are spread out beneath you like a bed,

and your covering is worms.

KJV 1900King James Version

Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming:

It stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth;

It hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

All they shall speak and say unto thee,

Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?

Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols:

The worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.

Public Domain