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.