Proverbs 15:26

26 The Lord hates evil thoughts but is pleased with kind words.

Proverbs 15:26 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:26

The thoughts of the wicked [are] an abomination to the Lord,
&c.] They are known unto the Lord, who is the searcher of the heart, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of it; he knows they are vain and sinful, yea, that they are only evil, and that continually, and therefore are hateful and abominable to him; it may be rendered "the thoughts of evil", as by the Targum; or evil thoughts, as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and the Oriental versions; but Aben Ezra interprets as we, the thoughts of a wicked man, which are never otherwise but evil; whereas in a good man, though there are many evil thoughts which are abominable to himself, yet there are some good thoughts, and which are pleasing to the Lord, as follows; but [the words] of the pure [are] pleasant words;
that is, unto the Lord; which are the same with their thoughts, and are the effect of them, and so stand opposed to the thoughts of the wicked; these, expressed either in a way of prayer or of praise, are sweet and pleasant, and acceptable unto God through Christ; as likewise their words and discourse in religious conversation, which also minister grace unto the hearer, and are very delightful and pleasing to saints; the words may be supplied thus, "but [the thoughts] of the pure", of such who are pure in heart, whose hearts are purified by faith in the blood of Christ, are "words of pleasantness", so Gersom; there is a language in thought which is known to a man's self, and by the Lord; there is the meditation or discourse of the heart, and this being about divine and spiritual things is pleasing to God; he hearkens to it, and writes a book of remembrance for them that fear him, and have thought on his name; see ( Psalms 19:14 ) ( Malachi 3:16 ) .

Proverbs 15:26 In-Context

24 Wise people's lives get better and better. They avoid whatever would cause their death.
25 The Lord will tear down the proud person's house, but he will protect the widow's property.
26 The Lord hates evil thoughts but is pleased with kind words.
27 Greedy people bring trouble to their families, but the person who can't be paid to do wrong will live.
28 Good people think before they answer, but the wicked simply pour out evil.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.