These verses contain a satirical or taunting song against the king of Babylon, who is Satan.
Verses 5–8: The whole earth, humankind and even the trees, rejoice when the longest-reigning, cruelest subjugator of all, the devil himself, is bound and put away (see also Revelation 20:1–3; 1 Nephi 22:15, 26; D&C 101:28).
Verses 9–11: The inhabitants of hell react as Satan is consigned there. Even the bygone, wicked rulers of nations who once were appareled in luxurious robes note that the king of Babylon, their evil sponsor, the devil himself, is now symbolically covered only by worms.
Verses 12–15: These verses apply to the king of Babylon, but also to Lucifer, the prototype of Babylon’s king. In other words, ancient Babylon’s fall is symbolic of Lucifer’s fall. Undoubtedly, that is why Isaiah thought of Lucifer at this point, after describing Babylon’s fall. Lucifer is the king of Babylon, meaning the whole wicked world. Lucifer is Latin; the Hebrew is hellel, both meaning “shining one.” “Son of the morning” is ben shakhar, meaning “son of dawn.”Lucifer’s fall in the premortal life is recorded also in Revelation 12:7–9 and Moses 4:1–4. He sought to take away our agency—a warning to all of us not to get overanxious or overzealous in coercing or compelling others (see also Jacob 4:18; D&C 76:25–28).
The history of this world began with a war. We engaged in that war and we won, but the war continues in this world. Lucifer imports it to planet Earth. It is the longest war ever on Earth, lasting six thousand years now. We are fighting in this war with evil, and we will win again. The final battle is still ahead, and we are assured that good will always prevail. A number of our hymns teach us about the war: “Onward, Christian Soldiers” (no. 246), “Behold! A Royal Army” (no. 251), “We Are All Enlisted” (no. 250), “Hope of Israel” (no. 259), and others (see “Latter-day Saint Hymns on War,” accompanying commentary at Alma 43–62). We sing about war, battles, conflicts, soldiers, armies, the foe, the battlefield, banners, swords, helmets, bucklers, shields, signals, war-cries, and victory—and we put it all in an eternal context. It is a battle not to save physical bodies, for all physical bodies will eventually be resurrected to an immortal condition, but a battle to save the souls of humankind. In a war we cannot sit back complacently while the enemy surrounds us with his formidable weaponry. Entering any day of our lives without prayer and scripture study is like a warrior charging into battle without his armor.
Verse 14: “I will be like the Most High.” Ambition is pride’s first cousin. Lucifer aspired to ascend to heaven, to have a throne higher than the stars of God, to be like God—all of which was ambitious indeed. It appears that he felt he could displace God. His selfish ambition ruined his life. Jesus said, “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased” (Matthew 23:12) and “That which is now exalted of itself shall be laid low of power” (D&C 49:10). The higher up we are, the farther we can fall; Lucifer apparently fell from a high position. He is described as “an angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God” (D&C 76:25).
Verses 15–17: When all the children of God see Lucifer as he is consigned to his ultimate fate, they will squint at him with disgust and amazement and wonder aloud: Is this the person who caused such incredible physical and spiritual devastation in the world? this spiteful, pathetic figure of misery and degradation?
Verses 18–22: We are promised that if our eye is single to the glory of God, we can be filled with light (D&C 88:67). Lucifer wants the glory for himself and, therefore, has no light in him, only darkness. Mortal wicked people have some glory, but Satan has none; there is no grave for Satan—he has no body. The great irony is that he sought superior power and glory and in the end will have none, all of which is another warning to us.
Verse 23: Babylon will become a “possession for the bittern” and stagnant marshes, and it will be swept with the broom of destruction; that is, the world will be cleansed and renewed.