The Meaning of Psalms 21:11 Explained

Psalms 21:11

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

YLT: For they stretched out against Thee evil, They devised a wicked device, they prevail not,

Darby: For they intended evil against thee; they imagined a mischievous device, which they could not execute.

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Psalms 21:11 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 21:1-13 - Rejoicing In The Strength Of Jehovah
This is a companion to the psalm preceding. The blessings there asked for are here gladly acknowledged to have been granted; and bright anticipations are entertained for the future. How much of this psalm is true only of the ideal King-our Lord! Let us read it with special reference to Him as He rides forth on His white horse, Revelation 19:11-16.
That which the heart desires, the lips at times find difficulty in expressing. God's help always prevents us, that is, "goes before" us, anticipates our needs. The only life that can satisfy is the eternal, but that is ours already if we only knew it. Our beloved dead are more blessed forever, because they see Him "face to face;" but we also may share their joy. Trust in Christ is the secret of immovability. God has exalted Christ to be a Prince and a Savior, and we shall never be at peace until we have done the same, Acts 5:31. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 21

1  A thanksgiving for victory
7  with confidence of further success

What do the individual words in Psalms 21:11 mean?

For they intended against You evil they devised a plot not [which] they are able [to perform]
כִּי־ נָט֣וּ עָלֶ֣יךָ רָעָ֑ה חָֽשְׁב֥וּ מְ֝זִמָּ֗ה בַּל־ יוּכָֽלוּ

נָט֣וּ  they  intended 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: נָטָה 
Sense: to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow.
עָלֶ֣יךָ  against  You 
Parse: Preposition, second person masculine singular
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
רָעָ֑ה  evil 
Parse: Adjective, feminine singular
Root: רַע 
Sense: bad, evil.
חָֽשְׁב֥וּ  they  devised 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: חָשַׁב 
Sense: to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count.
מְ֝זִמָּ֗ה  a  plot 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: מְזִמָּה  
Sense: purpose, discretion, device, plot.
יוּכָֽלוּ  [which]  they  are  able  [to  perform] 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: יָכֹל  
Sense: to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able.