The Fortunes of Kings and Empires are in the Hand of God
Bishop Horsley. Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones… God was pleased to humble Nebuchadnezzar, and to make him an example to the world and to himself of the frailty of all human power — the instability of all human greatness. Strange as it may seem, notwithstanding Daniel's weight and credit with the king — notwithstanding the consternation of mind into which the dream had thrown him, this warning had no permanent effect. He who was not cured of his overweening pride and vanity till he was overtaken by the threatened judgment. This judgment the text refers to the "decree of the washers," and the "word of the holy ones." The intent of the matter is to give mankind a proof, in the fall and restoration of this mighty monarch, that the fortunes of kings and empires are in the hand of God — that His providence perpetually interposes in the affairs of men, distributing crowns and sceptres, always for the good of the faithful primarily, ultimately of his whole creation, but according to His will. It is a mistake to regard these "watchers" and "holy ones" as angels. They are none other than the Three Persons in the Godhead. "Watchers" describes them by the vigilance of their universal providence. "Holy ones" by the transcendent sanctity of their nature. The assertion in the text is that God had decreed to execute a signal judgment upon Nebuchadnezzar for his pride and impiety. To make the declaration more solemn and striking, the terms in which it is conceived distinctly express that consent and concurrence of all the Persons in the Trinity in the design and execution of this judgment, which must be understood indeed in every act of the Godhead. It is the express assertion of the text that God governs the world according to His will. If this were always, present to the minds of men, they would never be cast down beyond measure by the successes of any enemy. And a firm belief in God's providence will moderate our excessive admiration of the virtues and talents of men, and especially of bad men. (Bishop Horsley.) Parallel Verses KJV: This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. WEB: The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.