Psalm 21 (20):12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Due to their wickedness directed towards You, they will now face the consequences of their actions, as the threat they believed existed under Your sovereign rule was turned against You, leading to Your crucifixion. They crafted a scheme that ultimately failed to take shape (Ps. 20:11). They plotted, declaring, "It is necessary for one to die for all" (Jn 11:50), yet they were unaware of the true meaning of their words.

They have raised their voices against You and uttered words of blasphemy. They have devised plans that they are unable to implement. In some interpretations, it is noted as "compose." Simmachus puts it this way: they devised thoughts that were unattainable. Through this, the Prophet anticipates the blasphemous declarations of the Assyrian, which include: "Let not the God in whom you trust deceive you into believing that He will rescue Jerusalem from my power" (4 Kings 18:28-35). Regarding these statements, he notes that they conceived unattainable thoughts or aimed for plans they could not fulfill, erroneously believing that since they had triumphed over idols, they could also conquer the true God.

All the aforementioned woes will be brought upon Your adversaries, O Lord, for they have chosen to act wickedly against You, slandering Your majestic name and maliciously assailing Your servants. They have devised schemes, but they will not succeed in their efforts. Although, as He states, Your foes have plotted numerous wicked acts against You and Your servants, they will not be able to uphold their intentions, for their plans shall ultimately come to ruin.

We describe the act of ‘deflecting’ evil upon another as the transfer of wrong from those who have suffered to individuals who, without any wrongdoing, do not deserve it, much like what occurred during the Passion of our Lord. The Jewish leadership feared that the Roman authorities would bring destruction upon them should they recognize Jesus the Lord as their king. Consequently, they channeled the malevolence they anticipated from the Romans onto Him. They conspired among themselves, declaring that ‘it is better for one to die for all,’ though they were unable to accomplish their intended outcome. Despite their ill intentions, they inadvertently spoke the truth: it was indeed preferable for one to give His life for the sake of many. Although their declaration was accurate, it was driven by corrupt motives, making them liable for such conduct since their hearts were not pure.

In this passage, the Prophet conveys that the wicked rightly face the destruction previously mentioned because their malicious actions do not merely offend a mere human but rather insult God Himself. If the kingdom of Israel, established by God's directive through David, cannot be dishonored without causing offense to God, then how much more grievously is the majesty of God affronted in the case of Christ's kingdom, where He desires to reign in all creation. The Prophet states, "They have thought of counsels, which they cannot make," highlighting the foolish arrogance of those who, in their rebellion against God, bolden themselves to plan and act, yet ultimately achieve nothing.

The wicked Jews conspired against the Lord Christ, seeking to extinguish the Eternal One, yet they faced their own condemnation. Furthermore, they audaciously blasphemed the Resurrection, unable to destroy the Source of Life, and thus faced eternal death due to their unbelief.