Therefore, ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes, and to the cities that are forsaken, which became a prey and derision to the residue of the heathen that are round about;
Therefore, ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God. Inanimate creatures are addressed, to imply that the creature also, as it were, groans for deliverance from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Romans 8:19-21). (Polanus.) The completeness of the renewed blessedness of all parts of the land is implied.
Thus saith the Lord God ... to the cities ... which became a prey and derision - (Psalms 79:4, "We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us").