Psalms 21:11

KJV

For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, [which] they are not able [to perform].

KJV (with Strong's)

For they intended {H5186} evil {H7451} against thee: they imagined {H2803} a mischievous device {H4209}, which they are not able {H3201} to perform.

Complete Jewish Bible

for they intended evil against you; but despite their scheme, they won't succeed.

Berean Standard Bible

Though they intend You harm, the schemes they devise will not prevail.

American Standard Version

For they intended evil against thee; They conceived a device which they are not able to perform.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 21:11 powerfully declares the absolute futility of all malicious intentions and schemes devised against God's anointed. This verse highlights a profound contrast between the calculated evil of human adversaries and the unshakeable, sovereign power of God, who actively ensures that their malevolent plans will never come to fruition. It stands as a robust affirmation of divine protection, demonstrating God's ultimate control and His unwavering commitment to frustrating all forms of human wickedness that oppose His will and purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 21 is a psalm of thanksgiving, celebrating the Lord's abundant blessings and deliverance upon the king. It follows [Psalm 20](/psalms/20 "Psalm 20 - A Prayer for the King's Victory"), which is a prayer for the king's victory in battle. Psalm 21, therefore, serves as a post-victory hymn of praise, attributing the king's success entirely to God's strength and steadfast love. Verse 11 specifically addresses the defeated enemies, explaining the divine reason for their failure. It functions as a bridge, contrasting the enemies' futile plotting with God's decisive judgment and the king's secure position, as further elaborated in [Psalms 21:12-13](/psalms/21-12-13 "Psalm 21:12-13 - God's Judgment Against Enemies"). The king's confidence, expressed earlier in [Psalms 21:7](/psalms/21-7 "Psalm 21:7 - The King's Trust in the Lord"), is vindicated by the frustration of his enemies' designs.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This psalm reflects the realities of ancient Near Eastern monarchies, where kings often faced threats from internal and external enemies. The king in Israel was considered God's "anointed" (Messiah), a special representative through whom God governed His people. Therefore, any plot against the king was, in essence, a plot against God's established order and His divine will. The cultural understanding of warfare involved the belief that divine favor determined the outcome of battles. This verse underscores the unique relationship between God and His chosen king, implying that God Himself intervenes to protect His anointed and thwart the designs of those who oppose Him, thereby ensuring the stability and security of the kingdom. The concept of divine protection for the king was paramount for the security and legitimacy of the throne.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it profoundly illustrates the **Futility of Evil Intentions**, demonstrating that no matter how meticulously or maliciously evil plans are conceived, they are utterly doomed to fail when they stand in opposition to God's sovereign will. Human malice and wicked schemes, as seen in [Psalm 37:12](/psalms/37-12 "Psalm 37:12 - The Wicked Plot Against the Righteous"), are ultimately powerless before divine sovereignty, for "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD" ([Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom Against the Lord")). Secondly, it highlights **God's Sovereign Protection**, implicitly assuring the righteous and God's anointed of divine safeguarding. Even when facing dire threats and elaborate plots, the believer can rest in the knowledge that God is their shield and defender, capable of dismantling any adversary's scheme. Lastly, it foreshadows **Divine Justice and Judgment**. While not explicitly stating judgment, the enemies' inability to perform their evil implies a divine hand of justice at work. God's intervention prevents harm to His people and ensures that wickedness does not prevail, setting the stage for their eventual downfall, as described in subsequent verses of [Psalm 21](/psalms/21 "Psalm 21 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving for the King").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **intended (Hebrew: נָטָה, _nâṭâh_):** This primitive root means "to stretch or spread out," but by implication, it can mean "to bend away" or "to incline." In this context, translated as "intended," it signifies the deliberate direction or inclination of the enemies' minds toward evil. It suggests a purposeful turning of their thoughts and efforts towards a specific, malevolent goal, indicating not just a fleeting idea but a focused determination to inflict harm.
* **imagined (Hebrew: חָשַׁב, _châshab_):** This verb, appearing twice in the verse, carries the meaning of "to think," "to devise," "to plan," "to calculate," or "to plot." Its repetition emphasizes the deliberate, calculated, and often cunning nature of the enemies' actions. It suggests not merely a fleeting thought of evil, but a concerted, mental effort to formulate a strategy for harm. The enemies are not acting impulsively but with forethought and malicious design, meticulously crafting their destructive schemes.
* **mischievous device (Hebrew: מְזִמָּה, _mᵉzimmâh_):** This noun refers to a "wicked scheme," "evil plot," "malicious design," or "cunning device." It often denotes a plan that is inherently destructive, deceitful, or morally corrupt. The use of _mᵉzimmâh_ here underscores the depth of the adversaries' depravity and the sinister nature of their intentions. It's not just a simple mistake or misstep, but a carefully crafted plan aimed at causing significant harm or destruction to God's anointed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For they intended evil against thee:"** This clause identifies the antagonists ("they," the enemies of the king and God) and their fundamental motivation: a deliberate, malevolent desire to inflict harm. The target, "thee," refers to the king, who stands as God's representative. This establishes the initial wicked impulse and direction of their animosity, highlighting their active will to do wrong.
* **"they imagined a mischievous device,"** Building on the initial intent, this phrase reveals that their evil thoughts progressed to active planning and scheming. The "mischievous device" signifies a concrete, cunning, and destructive plot. It implies a detailed strategy or trap designed to achieve their wicked ends, highlighting the depth of their malice and the sophistication of their conspiracy. This is not a random act but a calculated effort.
* **"[which] they are not able [to perform]."** This concluding clause delivers the powerful counter-punch and the central message of the verse. Despite their malicious intent and elaborate planning, the enemies are utterly powerless to execute their scheme. The phrase "not able to perform" (Hebrew: _lo yukhalu_) conveys absolute inability and futility. This inability is not due to their own weakness or lack of resources, but implicitly due to divine intervention, demonstrating God's sovereign power to nullify any human or demonic plot that opposes His purposes.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Contrast** as a primary literary device, setting the determined malice and sophisticated plotting of the enemies against their ultimate, absolute impotence. This stark juxtaposition magnifies the power of God, who, without explicit mention of His action, is clearly the one frustrating their plans. The phrase "not able to perform" also functions as a form of **Divine Irony**, where the very act of plotting against God's anointed leads directly to the plotters' own frustration and failure, rather than the success they envisioned. The concise and declarative nature of the statement also lends it an air of **Authoritative Declaration**, reinforcing the unshakeable truth of God's sovereignty over all human endeavors, especially those that are wicked.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 21:11 serves as a powerful theological statement about God's absolute sovereignty over all human affairs, even the most malicious and cunning. It asserts that no human wisdom, strength, or evil counsel can ultimately prevail against the Lord's will and purpose. The frustration of the enemies' "mischievous device" is a testament to God's active involvement in the world, not merely as an observer, but as the ultimate director of history. This truth provides immense comfort and assurance to believers, reminding them that even when faced with formidable opposition and elaborate schemes, their ultimate security rests in the hands of a God who is both omnipotent and faithful to His covenant. He is the one who "brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples" ([Psalms 33:10](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10 - God Frustrates the Plans of the Nations")).

* [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - The Lord's Purpose Will Stand")
* [Isaiah 54:17](/isaiah/54-17 "Isaiah 54:17 - No Weapon Formed Against You Shall Prosper")
* [Job 5:12](/job/5-12 "Job 5:12 - God Frustrates the Schemes of the Crafty")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Psalms 21:11 offers profound comfort and a robust foundation for faith in the face of adversity. It reminds us that even when we encounter opposition, slander, or elaborate schemes from those who wish us harm, our ultimate trust must remain firmly in God. We are called to rely on God's divine protection, knowing that He possesses the supreme power to dismantle any "mischievous device" formed against us. This verse fosters an attitude of unwavering confidence in God's sovereignty, encouraging us not to succumb to fear in the face of human threats but to continue living righteously, trusting that God will ultimately ensure the triumph of good over evil. It assures us that no weapon formed against those who walk with God will prosper, for His purposes cannot be thwarted by human malice. This truth liberates us from the anxiety of human machinations, allowing us to focus on our faithful obedience to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge your perspective on human opposition or evil plans directed against you or God's people?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to surrender control and trust more deeply in God's sovereignty to thwart "mischievous devices" or anxieties?**
* **How can the truth of this verse strengthen your confidence in God's protection and ultimate triumph, even when circumstances seem dire?**

### FAQ

**Who are 'they' in this verse, and why are their plans futile?**

Answer: "They" refers to the enemies of the king, who, in the context of the Davidic monarchy, were also considered enemies of God's chosen people and, by extension, God Himself. Their plans are futile because God's sovereignty is absolute and unchallengeable. No human or demonic scheme, no matter how cunningly devised or powerfully executed, can stand against His will and divine purpose. As [Psalm 2:1-4](/psalms/2-1-4 "Psalm 2:1-4 - The Nations Rage Against the Lord's Anointed") illustrates, the nations may rage and plot against the Lord and His Anointed, but God merely laughs at their futile attempts, for He has already established His King on Zion. Their inability to perform their evil is a direct result of God's active intervention and His supreme power to nullify anything that opposes His righteous decrees.

**Does this verse mean believers will never experience harm or suffering?**

Answer: No, this verse does not promise immunity from all forms of harm, suffering, or attack in this life. Believers, like Christ Himself, may indeed face persecution, trials, and even physical harm as a result of evil intentions. However, the core message of Psalms 21:11 is that the *ultimate* purpose of these evil schemes—to destroy God's overarching plan, His people, or His kingdom—will utterly fail. God often allows suffering for His greater purposes, such as refining faith or demonstrating His power in weakness, as seen in [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work Together for Good"). The "mischievous device" is thwarted in its fundamental goal of derailing God's will or ultimately defeating His people. It assures us that while we may face battles, the war has already been won by God, and no temporary setback can undo His eternal purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 21:11 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the true and eternal Anointed One. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus faced relentless opposition from those who "intended evil against Him" and "imagined a mischievous device." The religious and political leaders plotted His death, devising schemes to entrap Him and bring about His demise ([Matthew 26:3-4](/matthew/26-3-4 "Matthew 26:3-4 - The Plot Against Jesus")). Their ultimate "mischievous device" was the crucifixion, intended to silence Him, discredit His claims, and erase His movement. However, this verse declares that such devices "they are not able to perform" in their ultimate destructive intent. What His enemies intended for evil, God sovereignly orchestrated for good. The cross, meant to be the ultimate defeat, became the very means of salvation, demonstrating God's triumph over sin and death ([Acts 2:23-24](/acts/2-23-24 "Acts 2:23-24 - God's Plan for the Crucifixion and Resurrection")). Jesus' resurrection is the irrefutable proof that no human or demonic plot, no "mischievous device" of hell itself, could thwart God's eternal purpose for His Son. Through Christ's victory on the cross and His glorious resurrection, all principalities and powers were disarmed and triumphed over ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")), fulfilling this psalm's promise that the schemes of the wicked against God's Anointed will always be utterly futile, ultimately redounding to His glory and the salvation of His people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 10:2

The wicked in [his] pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

Psalms 2:1

¶ Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

Jeremiah 11:18

¶ And the LORD hath given me knowledge [of it], and I know [it]: then thou shewedst me their doings.

Jeremiah 11:19

But I [was] like a lamb [or] an ox [that] is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, [saying], Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.

Matthew 2:16

¶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

Isaiah 7:6

Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, [even] the son of Tabeal:

Isaiah 7:7

Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.