This verse expands on the thought of the previous contrast, explaining what it means to “rejoice” and “be put to shame.”

Behold, my servants shall sing for gladness of heart: God’s servants will sing because they are happy about the blessings they receive from him for their faithfulness. This line is literally “behold, my servants will shout from goodness of heart.” Bible en français courant has “they will be so happy that they will cry for joy!” Good News Translation says simply “They will sing for joy.”

But you shall cry out for pain of heart: In contrast, those who are unfaithful to God will cry because they are very sad about the punishment they receive for their sins. The Hebrew expression for pain of heart refers to inner sorrow rather than some physical ache or pain.

And shall wail for anguish of spirit is parallel and synonymous with the previous line, emphasizing the future condition of the rebellious ones. They will lament because they are deeply troubled in mind. Like pain of heart, the Hebrew expression for anguish of spirit also refers to mental pain and suffering. Good News Translation says “a broken heart.”

A translation example for this verse is:

• See, my servants will sing/cry for joy,
but you will cry out in anguish,
and wail with inner suffering.

An example that continues the indirect speech of the second example for the previous verse is:

• Yes, his servants will sing for joy,
but you will cry out in sorrow,
and weep with inner suffering.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .