O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!
O inhabitant of Lebanon - namely, Jerusalem, whose temple, palaces, and principal habitations were built of cedars of Lebanon.
How gracious shalt thou be - irony х neechant (H2603), from chaanan (H2603), to pity, to be gracious to]. How gracious thou shalt be to thyself: how thou shalt congratulate thyself (Buxtorf). How graciously thou wilt be treated by the Chaldees, when they come on thee suddenly, as pangs on a woman in travail (Jeremiah 6:24). Nay, all thy fine buildings will win no favour, for thee from them. Maurer, etc., translate, 'How thou shalt be to be pitied.'