Psalms 10:15

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

שְׁ֭בֹר Break H7665
שְׁ֭בֹר Break
Strong's: H7665
Word #: 1 of 8
to burst (literally or figuratively)
זְר֣וֹעַ thou the arm H2220
זְר֣וֹעַ thou the arm
Strong's: H2220
Word #: 2 of 8
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
רָשָׁ֑ע of the wicked H7563
רָשָׁ֑ע of the wicked
Strong's: H7563
Word #: 3 of 8
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
וָ֝רָ֗ע and the evil H7451
וָ֝רָ֗ע and the evil
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 4 of 8
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
תִּֽדְרוֹשׁ man seek out H1875
תִּֽדְרוֹשׁ man seek out
Strong's: H1875
Word #: 5 of 8
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
רִשְׁע֥וֹ his wickedness H7562
רִשְׁע֥וֹ his wickedness
Strong's: H7562
Word #: 6 of 8
a wrong (especially moral)
בַל none H1077
בַל none
Strong's: H1077
Word #: 7 of 8
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
תִּמְצָֽא׃ till thou find H4672
תִּמְצָֽא׃ till thou find
Strong's: H4672
Word #: 8 of 8
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

Analysis & Commentary

The call to 'break the arm of the wicked' uses the Hebrew metaphor of power ('arm' = zeroa). This is an imprecatory prayer asking God to destroy the wicked's ability to oppress. 'Seek out his wickedness till you find none' requests thorough judgment. Reformed theology understands such prayers as appeals to divine justice, not personal vengeance—they trust God as the righteous Judge.

Historical Context

Imprecatory prayers were common in Israel's worship, especially during times of persecution. They expressed confidence in God's justice and the rightness of judgment against evil.

Questions for Reflection