Isaiah 16:11

So my heart constantly sighs for Moab, like the strumming of a harp, ¹  my inner being sighs ²  for Kir Hareseth. ³ 

My heart laments for Moab like a harp, my inmost being for Kir Hareseth.

Therefore my heart intones like a harp for Moab And my inward feelings for Kir-hareseth.

I will weep for Moab. My sorrow for Kir–hareseth will be very great.

My heartstrings throb like harp strings for Moab, my soul in sympathy for sad Kir-heres.

For this cause the cords of my heart are sounding for Moab, and I am full of sorrow for Kir-heres.

Therefore my heart throbs like a harp for Moab, and my very soul for Kir-heres.

Therefore my heart shall resound like a harp for Moab, And my inner being for Kir Heres.

So my heart constantly sighs for Moab, like the strumming of a harp, ¹  my inner being sighs ²  for Kir Hareseth. ³ 

¹ tn Heb “so my intestines sigh for Moab like a harp.” The word מֵעַי (me’ay, “intestines”) is used here of the seat of the emotions. English idiom requires the word “heart.” The point of the comparison to a harp is not entirely clear. Perhaps his sighs of mourning resemble a harp in sound, or his constant sighing is like the repetitive strumming of a harp.

² tn The verb is supplied in the translation; “sighs” in the preceding line does double duty in the parallel structure.

³ tn Heb “Kir Heres” (so ASV, NRSV, TEV, CEV), a variant name for “Kir Hareseth” (see v. 7).