Psalm 33 calls all the earth to stand in awe of the Lord, who nullifies the counsel of the nations while His own counsel stands forever. The first part of the lesson shows this in history. God frustrated the counsel of Ahithophel, David’s shrewd adviser who joined Absalom’s conspiracy, by raising up Hushai, whose advice was preferred because the Lord had ordained it. In Esther, Haman plotted to destroy the Jews and built a gallows for Mordecai, but God turned the plan back on his own head.
The second part turns from what God overthrows to what He establishes. Through Isaiah God declares the end from the beginning: My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose. Ephesians 1 shows the eternal counsel of the Lord in salvation, as the Father chose a people in Christ before the foundation of the world, redeemed them by His blood and sealed them with the Holy Spirit, to the praise of His glory.