Psalms 66:18

18 If I had considered evil in my heart, the Lord 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] hear, all you God-fearers, and I will tell what he has done for me.
17 I called to him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I had considered evil in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
19 However, God has listened; he has attended to the sound of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, who has not turned aside my prayer, or his loyal love from me.
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.