Isaiah 14 opens with God's mercy: he would "yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land," and give them rest "from the hard service in which you were made to serve." Then Israel would take up a parable, a taunt song, against the king of Babylon. All the earth would rejoice: "The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet. They break out in song."
The song pictures the dead kings greeting the fallen tyrant: "Have you also become as weak as we are?" Verse 12 cries, "How you have fallen from heaven, shining one, son of the dawn!" The king had said in his heart, "I will ascend into heaven! I will exalt my throne above the stars of God!" and, "I will make myself like the Most High!" Some Christians have also seen in these words a picture of Satan's pride; the text itself addresses the king of Babylon. In the New Testament, Jesus used similar language (Luke 10:18).
The rest of the chapter shows that God's purposes cannot fail. About Assyria, God swore, "as I have purposed, so shall it stand." "For Yahweh of Armies has planned, and who can stop it? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" A warning to Philistia follows, "in the year that King Ahaz died." The chapter ends with the answer to give the nations: "Yahweh has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people will take refuge."