the voice of mirth, &c. This refrain is peculiar to Jeremiah. Occurs four times (here; Jeremiah 16:9; Jeremiah 25:10; Jeremiah 33:11) ("joy").
for the land shall be desolate. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:31; Leviticus 26:33, the same word "desolate"). App-92.