Charles Ellicott Commentary Daniel 4:17

"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 ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the lowest of men." — Daniel 4:17 (ASV)

By the decree — that is, the message to the king rests on this decree or sentence, and it is ascribed to the “watcher,” because the execution of the decree belonged to him.

The demand.— Compare to Isaiah 44:26. According to the use of the word in Chaldee elsewhere, this can be the only true meaning. The “holy one” makes this request of God, and the carrying out of His decree belongs to the “watcher.” “This,” says Dr. Pusey, “gives another glimpse into the interest of the holy angels in ourselves. They, too, longed that oppression should cease, and joining in the cry which forever is going up from the oppressed to the throne of mercy and judgment, prayed for that chastisement which was to relieve the oppressed and convert the oppressor” (Lectures on Daniel, p. 525).

Ruleth ... — that is, Almighty God disposes of human empires as He pleases .