Psalm 10:15

Translations

Modern

Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call him to account for his wickedness until none is left to be found.

Traditional

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

Literal

Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer! Seek out his wickedness, until none is found.

Latin

Contere brachium peccatoris et maligni; quæretur peccatum illius, et non invenietur.

Original

Hebrew

English

Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call him to account for his wickedness until none is left to be found.

Notes

Psalms 10:15

The psalmist prays and calls for a strong curse (see “Prayers for Vengeance” Theme Note).
Arms represent the ability to wage war (Psalms 18:34; 44:3).

Psalms 10:12–15

With confidence that the wicked will be held responsible for their deeds and that the Lord will care for the helpless, the psalmist prays intensely for rescue from evil.

Psalms 10:1–18

The lament in Psalm 9:13–20 continues in Psalm 10 (see study note on Psalms 9–10). However, the mood shifts from confident statements to anguished questions. The psalmist prays for rescue, trusting that the Lord, as a just king, take care of the needy.

Psalms 9:1–10:18

This hymn celebrates the Lord's rule and triumph over evil. It may also respond to the laments in Psalms 3–7.

Some believe that Psalms 9 and 10 should be read together as one psalm in two parts. This is because Psalm 9 has a title, while Psalm 10 does not.

Despite some missing or inverted letters, the two psalms form an acrostic of the Hebrew alphabet. This means that each line or section begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Other alphabetic acrostics include Psalms 25, 34, 37, 111–112, 119, and 145.

The ancient Greek and Latin translations treat Psalms 9 and 10 as one psalm.

Theme notes and profiles

David Concern for the Poor Prayers for Vengeance The Poor and Needy in the Psalms

Related verses

Psalm 37:17
For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
Job 38:15
Light is withheld from the wicked, and their upraised arm is broken.
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.’
Psalm 7:9
Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds.
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.
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!”
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
Psalm 3:7
Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.
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.
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.

Glossary

Acrostic David Music Orphan Persecution Poetry, Biblical Psalms, Book of

Topics

Prayer: Imprecatory Wicked (People): Punishment of

Psalm 10:15

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?