Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell in the dust: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth them.
Thy shepherds - i:e., thy leaders.
Slumber - are carelessly secure (Maurer). Rather, 'lie in death's sleep, having been slain' (Jerome). (Ezek. 15:16; Psalms 76:6.)
Thy nobles shall dwell in the dust - (Psalms 7:5, "Let him (the enemy) lay mine honour in the dust;" Psalms 94:17).
Thy people is scattered - the necessary consequence of their leaders being laid low (1 Kings 22:17).