Psalms 21:11
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
For they intended evil against you: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.
American King James Version (AKJV)
For they intended evil against you: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.
American Standard Version (ASV)
For they intended evil against thee; They conceived a device which they are not able to perform.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
For their thoughts were bitter against you: they had an evil design in their minds, which they were not able to put into effect.
Webster's Revision
For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.
World English Bible
For they intended evil against you. They plotted evil against you which cannot succeed.
English Revised Version (ERV)
For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a device, which they are not able to perform.
Clarke's Psalms 21:11 Bible Commentary
For they intended evil - Sinners shall not be permitted to do all that is in their power against the godly; much less shall they be able to perform all that they wish.
Barnes's Psalms 21:11 Bible Commentary
For they intended evil against thee - literally, "They stretched out evil." The idea seems to be derived from "stretching out" or laying snares, nets, or gins, for the purpose of taking wild beasts. That is, they formed a plan or purpose to bring evil upon God and his cause: as the hunter or fowler forms a purpose or plan to take wild beasts or fowls. It is not merely a purpose in the head, as our word "intended" would seem to imply; it supposes that arrangements had been entered into, or that a scheme had been formed to injure the cause of God - that is, through the person referred to in the psalm. The purposes of wicked men against religion are usually much more than a mere "intention." The intention is accompanied with a scheme or plan in their own mind by which the act may be accomplished. The evil here referred to was that of resisting or overpowering him who was engaged in the cause of God, or whom God had appointed to administer his laws.
They imagined a mischievous device - They thought, or they purposed. The word rendered "mischievous device" מזמה mezimmâh - means properly "counsel, purpose; then prudence, sagacity;" then, in a bad sense, "machination, device, trick." Gesenius, Lexicon. Proverbs 12:2; Proverbs 14:17; Proverbs 24:8.
Which they are not able to perform - literally, "they could not;" that is, they had not the power to accomplish it, or to carry out their purpose. Their purpose was plain; their guilt was therefore clear; but they were prevented from executing their design. Many such designs are kept from being carried into execution for the want of power. If all the devices and the desires of the wicked were accomplished, righteousness would soon cease in the earth, religion and virtue would come to an end, and even God would cease to occupy the throne.
Wesley's Psalms 21:11 Bible Commentary
21:11 Thee - Against God, not directly, but by consequence, because it was against David, whom God had anointed, and against the Lord's people, whose injuries God takes as done to himself.