A funeral song would be sung for Tyre. This kind of song is called a lament (a song of mourning for the dead). The prophet had used this kind of song earlier (see study note on Ezekiel 19:1–14). People would repeat this funeral song from place to place. Many would mourn the fall of the great city.
powerful on the sea … who imposed terror: Tyre had strong naval power (military strength at sea). Her ships traveled widely and controlled important trade routes.
Because of this power, Tyre spread fear among other nations. Her trading system was not always peaceful. It was often based on conquest (defeating others in war), subjugation (forcing others to submit), and exploitation (using others unfairly for gain). See Ezekiel 28:16, 18.