Psalms 10:15
Psalms 10:15 in Multiple Translations
Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call him to account for his wickedness until none is left to be found.
Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
Break thou the arm of the wicked; And as for the evil man, seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
Let the arm of the sinner and the evil-doer be broken; go on searching for his sin till there is no more.
Destroy the power of the wicked, those evil people! Call each of them to account until there are none left!
Breake thou the arme of the wicked and malicious: searche his wickednes, and thou shalt finde none.
Break the arm of the wicked and the evil, Seek out his wickedness, find none;
Break the arm of the wicked. As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none.
Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man : seek out his wickedness till thou shalt find none.
◄Break the arms/Destroy the power► of wicked [DOU] people! Continue to pursue and punish them for the wicked things that they do, until they stop doing those things.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 10:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 10:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שְׁ֭בֹר
זְר֣וֹעַ
רָשָׁ֑ע
וָ֝/רָ֗ע
תִּֽדְרוֹשׁ
רִשְׁע֥/וֹ
בַל
תִּמְצָֽא
שְׁ֭בֹר
shâbar
H7665
to break
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
זְר֣וֹעַ
zᵉrôwaʻ
H2220
arm
N-cs
רָשָׁ֑ע
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
וָ֝/רָ֗ע
raʻ
H7451
bad
Conj | Adj
תִּֽדְרוֹשׁ
dârash
H1875
to seek
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
רִשְׁע֥/וֹ
reshaʻ
H7562
wickedness
N-ms | Suff
בַל
bal
H1077
not
Part
תִּמְצָֽא
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 10:15
שְׁ֭בֹר
shâbar
H7665
"to break"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
This word means to break or shatter something, either physically or emotionally. It can also mean to burst or rupture, and is often used to describe intense violence or destruction. In the Bible, it's translated as break or crush.
Definition: 1) to break, break in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench 1a2) to break, rupture (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked 1b2) to be broken, be crushed (fig) 1c) (Piel) to shatter, break 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered Aramaic equivalent: te.var (תְּבַר "to break" H8406)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, [idiom] quite, tear, view (by mistake for H7663 (שָׂבַר)). See also: Genesis 19:9; Isaiah 27:11; Psalms 3:8.
זְר֣וֹעַ
zᵉrôwaʻ
H2220
"arm"
N-cs
The Hebrew word for arm refers to the arm as stretched out, symbolizing strength, force, or power, as seen in the KJV translations of arm, mighty, and strength.
Definition: 1) arm, forearm, shoulder, strength 1a) arm 1b) arm (as symbol of strength) 1c) forces (political and military) 1d) shoulder (of animal sacrificed)
Usage: Occurs in 84 OT verses. KJV: arm, [phrase] help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength. See also: Genesis 49:24; Proverbs 31:17; Psalms 10:15.
רָשָׁ֑ע
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
וָ֝/רָ֗ע
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
Conj | Adj
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
תִּֽדְרוֹשׁ
dârash
H1875
"to seek"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
To seek or ask is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often used to describe seeking God or worshiping him. It can also mean to investigate or enquire about something.
Definition: 1) to resort to, seek, seek with care, enquire, require 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to resort to, frequent (a place), (tread a place) 1a2) to consult, enquire of, seek 1a2a) of God 1a2b) of heathen gods, necromancers 1a3) to seek deity in prayer and worship 1a3a) God 1a3b) heathen deities 1a4) to seek (with a demand), demand, require 1a5) to investigate, enquire 1a6) to ask for, require, demand 1a7) to practice, study, follow, seek with application 1a8) to seek with care, care for 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to allow oneself to be enquired of, consulted (only of God) 1b2) to be sought, be sought out 1b3) to be required (of blood)
Usage: Occurs in 152 OT verses. KJV: ask, [idiom] at all, care for, [idiom] diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-) mancer, question, require, search, seek (for, out), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 9:5; Ezra 10:16; Psalms 9:11.
רִשְׁע֥/וֹ
reshaʻ
H7562
"wickedness"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for wickedness, describing wrong or immoral actions, as seen in the wickedness of enemies or those hostile to God. It appears in various forms, such as iniquity or wickedness. This concept is discussed in biblical books like Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) wrong, wickedness, guilt 1a) wickedness (as violence and crime against civil law) 1b) wickedness (of enemies) 1c) wickedness (in ethical relations)
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: iniquity, wicked(-ness). See also: Deuteronomy 9:27; Proverbs 12:3; Psalms 5:5.
בַל
bal
H1077
"not"
Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means not or nothing, often used to show something is absent or non-existent. It appears in various forms, like lest or neither. The KJV Bible translates it in different ways, including not or none.
Definition: not, hardly, else
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: lest, neither, no, none (that...), not (any), nothing. See also: 1 Chronicles 16:30; Psalms 140:12; Psalms 10:4.
תִּמְצָֽא
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
Study Notes — Psalms 10:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 10:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 10:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 10:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 10:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 10:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 10:15
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 10:15
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 10:15
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 10:15
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 10:15
- Sermons on Psalms 10:15
Context — The Perils of the Pilgrim
13Why has the wicked man renounced God? He says to himself, “You will never call me to account.”
14But You have regarded trouble and grief; You see to repay it by Your hand. The victim entrusts himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.
15Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call him to account for his wickedness until none is left to be found.
16The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations perish from His land. 17You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline Your ear,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zephaniah 1:12 | And at that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the men settled in complacency, who say to themselves, ‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.’ |
| 2 | Psalms 37:17 | For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. |
| 3 | Job 38:15 | Light is withheld from the wicked, and their upraised arm is broken. |
| 4 | Psalms 7:9 | Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 30:21–22 | “Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt. See, it has not been bound up for healing, or splinted for strength to hold the sword. Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt. I will break his arms, both the strong one and the one already broken, and will make the sword fall from his hand. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 2:34 | Moreover, your skirts are stained with the blood of the innocent poor, though you did not find them breaking in. But in spite of all these things |
| 7 | Zechariah 11:17 | Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered and his right eye utterly blinded!” |
| 8 | Ezekiel 23:48 | So I will put an end to indecency in the land, and all the women will be admonished not to imitate your behavior. |
| 9 | Psalms 3:7 | Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. |
| 10 | 2 Kings 21:12–15 | this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah that the news will reverberate in the ears of all who hear it. I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab, and I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes out a bowl—wiping it and turning it upside down. So I will forsake the remnant of My inheritance and deliver them into the hands of their enemies. And they will become plunder and spoil to all their enemies, because they have done evil in My sight and have provoked Me to anger from the day their fathers came out of Egypt until this day.’” |
Psalms 10:15 Summary
This verse is a prayer asking God to stop the wicked from doing evil and to hold them accountable for their actions. It's like asking a parent to intervene when a bully is hurting someone. God is the ultimate Judge and wants to bring justice to those who are hurting others (Psalms 9:8). We can trust that God will take care of the wicked and bring them to account, and we can pray for them to turn to God and be saved (Romans 2:4). By trusting in God's justice, we can have peace and know that He is in control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'break the arm of the wicked' in Psalms 10:15?
This phrase is a metaphorical expression meaning to cripple or render powerless the wicked, as seen in Psalms 37:17, where it says 'the arms of the wicked will be broken'
Why does the Psalmist ask God to call the wicked to account for their wickedness?
The Psalmist asks God to call the wicked to account because they have renounced God, as stated in Psalms 10:13, and God is the ultimate Judge, as seen in Romans 2:16
Is this verse promoting violence or revenge against the wicked?
No, this verse is a prayer to God, asking Him to judge the wicked and bring them to account for their actions, as God is the righteous Judge, according to Deuteronomy 32:4 and Psalm 96:13
How does this verse relate to God's character?
This verse shows that God is a God of justice, who sees the trouble and grief of the victim, as stated in Psalms 10:14, and will ultimately bring the wicked to account for their actions, as seen in Psalm 9:8
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have seen the wicked seem to prosper in my own life, and how can I trust God's justice in those situations?
- How can I, as a believer, be a voice for the victim and the oppressed, as God is their helper, according to Psalms 10:14?
- What are some areas in my own life where I need to trust God's justice and righteousness, rather than taking matters into my own hands?
- How can I pray for the wicked to be brought to account for their actions, while still loving them and desiring their salvation, as seen in Matthew 5:44?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 10:15
Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil [man],.... His power and strength, so that he shall not be able to hold the sword, to strike a blow, or do any hurt to the people of God; see Ezekiel 30:21.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 10:15
Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none. Break thou the arm of the wicked - the instrument wherewith he oppressed the godly.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 10:15
Break thou; or, Thou wilt break. For it may be either a prayer or a prophecy. The arm, i.e. his strength, the instrument of violence and mischief. Seek out his wickedness; search for it so strictly, and punish these wicked atheists so severely. Till thou find none, i.e. no such wickedness, to wit, undiscovered and unpunished, or indeed left in the world, or at least in the church; which might happen, because those wicked men here spoken of should be generally either convinced or rooted out, and the rest should be warned and reformed by their example, and so this lewdness should cease out of the land, as the phrase is, . That is said to be sought for, and not found, which is utterly lost, as ,8 Psalms 37:36 18:21. And this phrase is used both of good men, whose sins are taken away by God’ s grace and mercy, pardoning and purging them away, and of wicked men in the sense above mentioned.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 10:15
Psalms 10:15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil [man]: seek out his wickedness [till] thou find none.Ver. 15. Break thou the arm of the wicked] That arm that hath been lifted up against the godly. See Psalms 3:8; Psalms 58:7. Seek out his wickedness till thou find none] Ad alios vel inficiendos, vel infestandos, Ezekiel 23:48. Or, leave no sin of his unpunished. The Franciscans, to prove that Francis, the founder of their order, was without sin, foolishly allege this text, Quaeretur peccatum illius et non invenietur; wherein (according to the sense of the psalmist) what do they else but wish that God would trace him quite through the course and trade of his iniquities, even to the uttermost end of them, and punish him accordingly; which is done, no doubt, long since.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 10:15
(15) Seek out.—The meaning of the verse is clear, from Psalms 37:36, and Isaiah 41:12, where we see that to seek and not find was a proverb expressing “riddance of evil;” but the construction is difficult. The first clause should end at “wicked,” the words “and the evil” being absolute; and the verbs, which are in form either second or third person, should be taken in the second. Translate, and as for the evil man, thou shalt look for his wickedness, and not find it (thou=anybody, which preserves the proverbial tone. So the LXX., “his sin shall be sought, and not be found “).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 10:15
Verse 15. Break thou the arm] Destroy his power, deprive him of his influence, that he may be no longer able to oppress. Seek out his wickedness till thou find none.] All his public haunts and private ways shall be investigated; thou wilt bring all his villanies to light, and continue to inflict punishment, while there is a crime to punish. Or, "Continue to judge and punish transgressors, till not one is to be found." This agrees with the following verse.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 10:15
12–18. An urgent plea that Jehovah will vindicate His own character by action, grounded upon a confident assurance of the present reality of His government. The alphabetical arrangement is here resumed.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 10:15
Break thou the arm of the wicked - The arm is the instrument by which we effect a purpose, and especially in wielding a sword or a spear, as in battle; and if the arm is broken, we are powerless.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 10:15
15. Seek out—Thou wilt seek out. This stands opposed to the doctrine of the wicked in Psalms 10:13, where, using the same word, they say: “God will not require, or seek out,” the sin, to punish it.
Sermons on Psalms 10:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bible Survey - Zephaniah by Peter Hammond | Peter Hammond preaches on the prophet Zephaniah, who delivered prophecies during the reign of King Josiah, calling for repentance and seeking righteousness and humility. Zephaniah' |
|
The Message of Zephaniah by G. Campbell Morgan | G. Campbell Morgan emphasizes the significance of 'the day of the Lord' as revealed in Zephaniah, highlighting God's direct and supernatural judgment upon sin, particularly luxury |
|
Practical Atheism, in Denying the Agency of Divine Providence, Exposed by Samuel Davies | Samuel Davies preaches about the prevalence of practical atheism in denying the agency of divine providence, exposing the consequences of settling on one's own understanding and ne |
|
Do Not Fear What You See by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the assurance found in Psalms 37, where God promises to uphold the righteous amidst a world filled with chaos and sin. He highlights that despite the ala |
|
Voices From Hell Speaking to America - Part 6 by Alan Cairns | This sermon emphasizes the importance of not forgetting the innocent bloodshed and the consequences of a nation turning away from God's covenant mercies. It warns against being div |
|
Peace in the Midst of the Storm by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on Psalm 3, where David laments the increase of his enemies, including his own son Absalom. David is troubled by the lack of loyalty from those |
|
|
Psalm 5 by Carl Armerding | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer and devotion to God. He shares personal experiences and insights from his 60 years of knowing the Lord. The speaker |