God acts as the ultimate redeemer of the Israelites, actively directing the course of history and bringing down mighty empires for the sake of His people. The prophetic vision connects past redemptions, such as the supernatural Exodus from Egypt, to the natural events of the redemption from Babylon. These historical events serve as both proof and a promise for the future redemption and the final gathering of the exiles [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].
The divine intervention in Babylon for the sake of the Israelites is understood in several ways. The primary approach among commentators is that this brings good news of redemption. God sent Cyrus, the king of Media and Persia, to destroy Babylon and free the Israelites [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others suggest that God was in such a rush to redeem His people that it is described as if He dispatched a physical messenger, or even sent the heavenly guardian angel of the Israelites down to Babylon [אבן עזרא, רד״ק]. Conversely, a deep tradition suggests that the Divine Presence itself went into exile in Babylon alongside the Israelites, sharing in the heavy burden of their distress [מנחת שי, רד״ק]. A third perspective views this entirely differently, explaining that it describes the harsh reality of the exile itself; due to the sins of the people, God is the one who sent them away to Babylon [רש״י, שד״ל].
The collapse of Babylon is described through various striking images. Some explain that God will physically break the heavy bars of Babylon's city gates, opening its borders to allow the captive exiles to finally walk free [אבן עזרא, שד״ל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others understand the downfall as a mass retreat, where the residents of Babylon will flee in sheer panic before the advancing army of Cyrus [רד״ק]. A different group of commentators connects the imagery to the sea, suggesting a reference to wind-powered ships or the heavy wooden oars used to steer them [מצודת ציון, רש״י]. Meanwhile, a unique interpretation recalls the tragic beginning of the exile, describing how Nebuchadnezzar forced the young men of the Israelites to carry crushing stone millstones on their backs as they were marched out of their homeland [מנחת שי].
The fate of the Chaldeans, the people of Babylon, is closely tied to their ships of celebration. Many explain that the Babylonians will be defeated and sent into exile on the very same ships where they once held joyous celebrations [רש״י, אבן עזרא]. In a dramatic reversal of fortune, their former sounds of joy and partying will be transformed into cries, weeping, and wailing [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, שד״ל, מצודת דוד]. However, an alternative and much more positive perspective suggests that this describes the peaceful journey back to the Land of Israel. In this view, the Chaldeans will actually be present on the ships of the returning exiles, actively helping them cross the rivers while singing joyful songs of praise [ביאור שטיינזלץ].