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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 10:12-18

David here, upon the foregoing representation of the inhumanity and impiety of the oppressors, grounds an address to God, wherein observe, I. What he prays for. 1. That God would himself appear (Ps. 10:12): ?Arise, O Lord! O God! lift up thy hand, manifest thy presence and providence in the affairs of this lower world. Arise, O Lord! to the confusion of those who say that thou hidest thy face. Manifest thy power, exert it for the maintaining of thy own cause, lift up thy hand to give a fatal... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 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 . This prayer is in some measure already fulfilled in antichrist, the man of sin, or pope of Rome; though his kingdom is not broke to pieces; as it will be when Christ's kingdom shall be more visibly set up, to which reference is had in Psalm 10:16 ; see Daniel 2:44 ; yet his strength... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 10:15

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. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 10:15

Verse 15 15.Break thou the arm. This form of expression just means breaking the power of the wicked. And it is not simply a prayer; it may also be regarded as a prophecy. As the ungovernable fury of our enemies very often makes us lose courage, as if there were no means by which it could be restrained, David, in order to support his faith, and preserve it from failing through the fears which presented themselves, sets before himself the consideration, that whenever it shall please God to break... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 10:1-18

Why? or, Hard facts and puzzling questions. Whether or no this psalm was originally a part of the ninth is a question which, as may be seen, is discussed by many expositors. The mere absence of a title to it is, however, a very slight indication in that direction; while the contrast, almost violent, between the two psalms seems to be sufficient to show that they could scarcely have been penned by the same writer at the same time. The ninth psalm is a song of praise over the great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 10:1-18

Times of darkness and fear. The experiences of the psalmist may differ from ours, but by faith and sympathy we can enter into his feelings. Besides, there is always more or less of trouble. Life is full of vicissitudes. Times of darkness and of fear come to all. Not from one, but from many, the cry goes up to Heaven, "Why standest thou afar off?" I. THE COMPLAINT . ( Psalms 10:1-11 .) Why? Perplexity and fear are natural because of the silence of God. What makes his silence the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 10:1-18

The righteous God. The one grand thought which runs through this psalm and most of the Old Testament literature is that God, notwithstanding all appearances to the contrary, is a Righteous Being, and that all wickedness must be punished and overthrown. In this psalm two principal thoughts are vividly pictured forth, and a prayer. I. A COMPLAINT TO GOD OF THE DARING ATHEISM OF THE WICKED . ( Psalms 10:1-11 .) 1 . He imagines himself to be above all restraint ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 10:15

Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man ; i.e. "break thou his strength; take away his ability to work evil to others." Seek out his wickedness till thou find none ; rather, require his wickedness. The verb is the same as that used in the last clause of Psalms 10:13 . The wicked man had said in his heart, "Thou wilt not require;" the psalmist calls on God, not only to require, but to require to the uttermost. Seek out, be says, require, and bring to judgment, all his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 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. The psalmist, therefore, prays that God would render the wicked, in this respect, powerless.And the evil man - Of all the evil, or the wicked. In regard to the prayer here, see the note at Psalms 5:10.Seek out his wickedness until thou find none - Until it is all punished; until there has been a full... read more

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