Psalms 10:15

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שְׁ֭בֹר
Break
to burst (literally or figuratively)
#2
זְר֣וֹעַ
thou the arm
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
#3
רָשָׁ֑ע
of the wicked
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
#4
וָ֝רָ֗ע
and the evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#5
תִּֽדְרוֹשׁ
man seek out
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
#6
רִשְׁע֥וֹ
his wickedness
a wrong (especially moral)
#7
בַל
none
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
#8
תִּמְצָֽא׃
till thou find
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

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection