116 The antecedent of the third masculine plural pronominal suffix is not entirely clear. It probably refers back to the “destroyers” mentioned in v. 53 as the agents of God’s judgment on Babylon.
117 Or “mighty waters.”
118 Heb “and the noise of their sound will be given,”
119 Heb “for a destroyer is coming against her, against Babylon.”
120 The Piel form (which would be intransitive here, see §52.k) should probably be emended to Qal.
121 Or “God of retribution.”
122 The infinitive absolute emphasizes the following finite verb. Another option is to translate, “he certainly pays one back.” The translation assumes that the imperfect verbal form here describes the Lord’s characteristic actions. Another option is to take it as referring specifically to his judgment on Babylon, in which case one should translate, “he will pay (Babylon) back in full.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“A voice! A cry from Babylon!

The noise of great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans!

For the Lord is laying Babylon waste

and stilling her mighty voice.

Their waves roar like many waters;

the noise of their voice is raised,

for a destroyer has come upon her,

upon Babylon;

her warriors are taken;

their bows are broken in pieces,

for the Lord is a God of recompense;

he will surely repay.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“The sound of a cry comes from Babylon,

the sound of great destruction

from the land of the Babylonians.

The Lord will destroy Babylon;

he will silence her noisy din.

Waves of enemies will rage like great waters;

the roar of their voices will resound.

A destroyer will come against Babylon;

her warriors will be captured,

and their bows will be broken.

For the Lord is a God of retribution;

he will repay in full.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

The sound of a cry from Babylon!

The sound of terrible destruction

from the land of the Chaldeans!

For the Lord is going to devastate Babylon;

he will silence her mighty voice.

Their waves roar like a huge torrent;

the tumult of their voice resounds,

for a destroyer is coming against her,

against Babylon.

Her warriors will be captured,

their bows shattered,

for the Lord is a God of retribution;

he will certainly repay.

NLTNew Living Translation

“Listen! Hear the cry of Babylon,

the sound of great destruction from the land of the Babylonians.

For the Lord is destroying Babylon.

He will silence her loud voice.

Waves of enemies pound against her;

the noise of battle rings through the city.

Destroying armies come against Babylon.

Her mighty men are captured,

and their weapons break in their hands.

For the Lord is a God who gives just punishment;

he always repays in full.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

The sound of a cry for help from Babylon,

and a great collapse from the land of the Chaldeans.

For Yahweh is devastating Babylon,

and he obliterates her loud noise from her.

Their waves roar like mighty waters,

the roar of their voices resounds.

For a destroyer is coming against her, against Babylon,

and her warriors are captured.

Their bows are broken;

for Yahweh is a God of recompense,

certainly he will repay.

KJV 1900King James Version

A sound of a cry cometh from Babylon,

And great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans:

Because the Lord hath spoiled Babylon,

And destroyed out of her the great voice;

When her waves do roar like great waters,

A noise of their voice is uttered:

Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon,

And her mighty men are taken,

Every one of their bows is broken:

For the Lord God of recompences shall surely requite.

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