Psalm 10 15

Psalm 10:15 kjv

Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

Psalm 10:15 nkjv

Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; Seek out his wickedness until You find none.

Psalm 10:15 niv

Break the arm of the wicked man; call the evildoer to account for his wickedness that would not otherwise be found out.

Psalm 10:15 esv

Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none.

Psalm 10:15 nlt

Break the arms of these wicked, evil people!
Go after them until the last one is destroyed.

Psalm 10 verses

Psalm 10 15 Meaning

Psalm 10:15 is a fervent plea to God for divine intervention against the wicked oppressors. The psalmist requests God to dismantle the power and capability of the wicked, symbolized by breaking their arm, thereby rendering them incapable of continuing their harmful actions. This is coupled with a petition for God to thoroughly examine, expose, and completely eradicate all their evil deeds and intentions, leaving no trace or remaining influence of their wickedness. It is a cry for comprehensive justice, asking God not only to stop the immediate oppression but also to remove the root and residue of the evil.

Psalm 10 15 Context

Psalm 10 is a passionate lament to God regarding the pervasive and unpunished actions of the wicked. It stands in contrast to the joyful celebration of God's justice in Psalm 9. Throughout the chapter (Ps 10:1-11), the psalmist vividly describes the wicked's character: arrogant, proud, greedy, disdainful of God, plotting evil, and preying upon the poor and vulnerable. There is a sense of God's seeming inaction, prompting the psalmist to question God's perceived distance. In Ps 10:12-14, the tone shifts to a direct plea for God to "arise" and intervene, acknowledging that God does see and hear the affliction of the helpless. Verse 15 is a climactic expression of this plea, requesting decisive and complete judgment upon the oppressor. Historically, this could reflect any period where the faithful felt overwhelmed by powerful, unjust rulers or societal elements who operated without fear of divine retribution. The imagery evokes a world where physical strength and worldly power are used for evil, necessitating God's transcendent power to restore order.

Psalm 10 15 Word analysis

• Break (שְׁבֹר, sh'vor): An imperative verb meaning "to break," "shatter," "crush," or "fracture." It implies a forceful, decisive act that renders something useless or defunct. It's not merely weakening but incapacitating. In a military context, breaking an arm meant disabling a warrior, rendering them ineffective.

• the arm (זְרוֹעַ, z'ro'a): Literally "arm," but often metaphorically represents strength, power, might, influence, authority, or ability to act (compare God's "outstretched arm" in Ex 6:6). Breaking the arm of the wicked symbolizes stripping them of their capability to oppress, their physical or political power.

• of the wicked (רָשָׁע, rasha): A Hebrew term referring to those who are guilty, unjust, lawless, unrighteous, and hostile toward God's law or His people. It signifies not merely a misstep but an established character of moral rebellion and oppression.

• and the evil man (וָרָע, va'ra): The conjunction 'and' joins 'evil' (רָע, ra) to 'wicked.' While rasha denotes moral guilt, ra can signify evil in a broader sense – a person who embodies malice, depravity, or brings calamity. This pairing intensifies the description of the adversary, highlighting both their spiritual depravity and the destructive nature of their actions.

• You shall search out / call to account (תִּדְרֹשׁ, tidrosh): This is a powerful verb meaning "to seek," "inquire," "demand," "require," or "investigate." It implies a thorough, judicial inquiry. When God "searches out," it suggests an unveiling, a deep inspection into hidden wrongdoing. It carries the weight of demanding restitution or accountability.

• his wickedness (רִשְׁעוֹ, rish'o): The abstract noun form of rasha, referring to the state, act, or manifestation of being wicked; their specific deeds, character, or influence of evil. This indicates not just generic evil, but the particular unrighteousness that the individual is doing.

• till you find none (בַל־תִּמְצָא, bal-timtza): A strong phrase indicating complete eradication or non-existence. bal is a strong negative particle, meaning "not," and timtza means "you find." Together, "you will find no more," or "until none is found." This implies a total purging, leaving no residue, no remaining influence, no future recurrence of their evil deeds or character.

• Words-group Analysis

  • "Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man": This phrase is a concise, urgent plea for divine disarming. It addresses both the physical power and moral corruption of the oppressors. "Breaking the arm" is a vivid metaphor for destroying their capacity to inflict harm, dismantling their operational strength, and rendering their oppressive schemes impotent. It targets the very instrument of their tyranny.
  • "Search out his wickedness till you find none": This clause extends the petition beyond merely stopping the external acts of wickedness to an internal, spiritual, and comprehensive judgment. It requests God to meticulously investigate every aspect of their evil and eradicate it so thoroughly that no trace or future manifestation of it remains. This signifies a desire for complete annihilation of the evil, affirming God's exhaustive knowledge and ultimate power to cleanse all unrighteousness from His creation. It's a prayer for total justice that extends to the very essence of evil itself.

Psalm 10 15 Bonus section

• The use of imperative verbs in a prayer (Break, search out) highlights the psalmist's confidence in God's power and righteous character, not a lack of respect but intense earnestness.
• The prayer directly anticipates a state of cosmic justice where evil not only ceases to operate but also ceases to exist, reflecting a deep hope for God's ultimate eschatological victory.
• This verse counters any notion that the wicked can act with impunity or that their schemes can ultimately evade divine scrutiny or judgment.
• The concept of God "searching out" and "finding none" reinforces His perfect omniscience and omnipotence; nothing escapes His notice, and nothing can withstand His decisive action.

Psalm 10 15 Commentary

Psalm 10:15 encapsulates the fervent longing of the oppressed for God's active intervention and definitive justice. It's not a call for personal revenge but a righteous prayer for divine governance. The petition to "break the arm" signifies God's complete dismantling of the wicked's power base—their strength, influence, and ability to execute their malevolent designs. This act reflects God as the supreme Authority who can effortlessly overthrow worldly might that stands in opposition to His will. Furthermore, the psalmist's appeal for God to "search out his wickedness till You find none" speaks to an absolute, purifying judgment. This suggests an omniscient God who delves beyond superficial acts to the very core of evil, exposing its roots and completely purging its presence from creation. This goes beyond mere punishment; it speaks to the eradication of evil's very existence or influence. This verse stands as a powerful testament to the psalmist's unwavering faith that despite present appearances, God is a righteous Judge who will ultimately bring comprehensive justice and triumph over all forms of ungodliness, ushering in an era where evil simply cannot stand or be found.