9 They will not drink wine with a song. Strong drink will be bitter to those who drink it.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
They shall not drink wine with a song. To drink wine is not in itself evil, because God has appointed it for the use of man; but here the Prophet describes the banquets of drunkards, which were full of licentiousness, songs, and insolence. Again, because they abused their enjoyment of plenty, he threatens them with want, which men almost bring upon themselves, when by their luxury they turn to a bad use the goodness of God. Strong drink shall be bitter. He adds, that if they drink wine, it will be "bitter" to them; because sorrow commonly deprives men of a relish both for what they eat and for what they drink. The meaning may be thus summed up, "Though they have abundance of wine, yet they will be deprived of the use of it, because they will feel such sorrow as shall take away all relish for it." "Strong drink shall be bitter;" that is, you shall no longer enjoy those pleasures and delights in which you have hitherto indulged.
drink wine with a song - That is, accompanied with a song, as the usual mode was in their feasts.
Strong drink - On the word שׁכר shêkār see the note at Isaiah 5:11.
Shall be bitter - They shall cease to find pleasure in it in consequence of the general calamitics that have come upon the nation.
Strong drink "Palm wine" - This is the proper meaning of the word שכר shechar, σικερα. See note on Isaiah 5:11. All enjoyment shall cease: the sweetest wine shall become bitter to their taste.
They shall not drink wine with a song,.... They that have wine to drink shall not drink it with that pleasure they have heretofore done; nor shall their drinking be attended with merry songs, such as are sung by drunkards, who, while they are quaffing, are chanting to the sound of the viol, or other musical instruments; see Amos 6:5,
strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it; they shall have no gust for it, or relish of it, as they formerly had; either through bodily diseases upon themselves, or because of the calamities upon the nations and states in which they dwell: this will be the case of her that says, "I sit a queen, and shall see no sorrow", Revelation 18:7.
with a song--the usual accompaniment of feasts.
strong drink--(See on Isaiah 5:11). "Date wine" [HORSLEY].
bitter--in consequence of the national calamities.
Bitter - Because of the fears and miseries wherewith it is mixed.
*More commentary available at chapter level.