Psalms 66:18

18 If I had been cozy with evil, the Lord would never 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 All believers, come here and listen, let me tell you what God did for me.
17 I called out to him with my mouth, my tongue shaped the sounds of music.
18 If I had been cozy with evil, the Lord would never have listened.
19 But he most surely did listen, he came on the double when he heard my prayer.
20 Blessed be God: he didn't turn a deaf ear, he stayed with me, loyal in his love.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.