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

PSALMS 10:15KJV
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Psalms 10:15 (KJV)

What does Psalms 10:15 mean?

Psalms 10:15 is a prayer asking God to destroy the power of wicked and evil people, and to search out and remove all their wrongdoing until none is left. The verse expresses a desire for complete justice, leaving no trace of evil unaddressed.

In this psalm, the writer (traditionally understood as David) is speaking to God about the suffering caused by wicked people. The "arm" symbolizes strength or power, so asking God to "break the arm" means to take away the ability of the wicked to do harm. The verse asks God to actively seek out every bit of evil ("seek out his wickedness till thou find none"), showing a longing for thorough and lasting justice.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 10:15

  • "Break" (שָׁבַר, shavar, H7665) means to shatter or destroy. Here, it pictures God forcefully ending the strength or influence of the wicked.
  • "Arm" (זְרוֹעַ, zeroaʿ, H2220) often represents power or might in Hebrew poetry. The request is not about a literal arm but about the wicked person's ability to act.
  • "Seek out" (דָּרַשׁ, darash, H1875) means to search diligently. The psalmist is asking God not just to punish, but to thoroughly investigate and remove every trace of wrongdoing.
  • "Wickedness" (רֶשַׁע, reshaʿ, H7562) is the word for evil deeds or injustice. The focus is on rooting out all acts of harm, not just punishing the person.

Why Psalms 10:15 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the psalmist is not just asking for punishment, but for the complete removal of evil influence and actions.
  • The language shows a deep trust in God's ability to see and deal with hidden wrongdoing, not just what is visible.
  • In the context of the whole psalm, this request is part of a larger cry for justice in a world where evil often seems to go unchecked.

Where else these words appear

“none” Hebrew H1077 · used in 8 verses

  • Psalms 16:4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.
  • Proverbs 9:13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
  • Isaiah 26:10 Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.

“wickedness” Hebrew H7562 · used in 29 verses

  • Deuteronomy 9:27 Remember thy servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; look not unto the stubbornness of this people, nor to their wickedness, nor to their sin:
  • Psalms 141:4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
  • Isaiah 58:4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

“arm” Hebrew H2220 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob;(from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
  • Job 38:15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
  • Isaiah 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

“Break” Hebrew H7665 · used in 145 verses

  • Genesis 19:9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
  • Psalms 37:15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
  • Jeremiah 30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: