Bible Strands
Psalms 33:10
The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David (or the psalmist) argues from God's creative sovereignty (v.9) to His authority over human political schemes, placing this verse between two claims about the permanence of God's word. The psalm is a general praise piece, not tied to a single historical crisis.
The words — הֵפִיר (hefir) literally "he makes ineffectual," a rare verb denoting active nullification rather than mere opposition. הֵנִיא (heni') carries the same force: to cause to fail, to render void.
The thread — The same pattern recurs in Job 5:12 (God thwarts the crafty so their hands find no success) and Isaiah 44:25 (He foils the signs of false prophets). Psalms 21:11 applies it specifically to enemies of the king.
Why it lands — It removes the reader from the assumption that any nation's plans are self-sustaining. The practical demand is to anchor trust in the counsel that stands forever (v.11) rather than in schemes already void.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
Cross-references
- Psalms 21:11 Though they intend You harm, the schemes they devise will not prevail.
- Job 5:12 He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success.
- Isaiah 44:25 who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,
- Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
- 2 Samuel 15:31 Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”
- Psalms 140:8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not promote their evil plans, lest they be exalted. Selah
- Isaiah 8:9 Huddle together, O peoples, and be shattered; pay attention, all you distant lands; prepare for battle, and be shattered; prepare for battle, and be shattered!
- Psalms 2:1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
- Psalms 9:15 The nations have fallen into a pit of their making; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
- Isaiah 7:5 For Aram, along with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has plotted your ruin, saying: