Psalms 66:18

18 Had I cherished evil thoughts, Adonai would not have listened.

Psalms 66:18 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 66:18

If I regard iniquity in my heart
There was iniquity in his heart, as there is in every good man's heart, and a great deal too; it is full of it; and it should be regarded in some sense, so as to guard against it, and pray to be kept from it, that it may not break forth into action; and so as to loath it, abhor it, and be humbled for it; but not so as to nourish and cherish it, to take delight and pleasure in it: or "if I look upon it" F8, as it may be rendered; that is, with approbation of it, and satisfaction in it, and ordered his conversation according to it; or acted the deceitful and hypocritical part in prayer; or had any evil intention in his petitions, to consume on his lusts what he asked for;

the Lord will not hear [me];
for the Lord hears not sinners that delight in sin, and live in it; neither profane sinners nor hypocrites; see ( John 9:31 ) ( Job 27:8 Job 27:9 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F8 (ytyar Ma) "si vidi", Pagninus, Montanus; "si aspexi", V. L. "si conspexi", Gejerus.

Psalms 66:18 In-Context

16 Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth, his praise was on my tongue.
18 Had I cherished evil thoughts, Adonai would not have listened.
19 But in fact, God did listen; he paid attention to my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, who did not reject my prayer or turn his grace away from me.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.