18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
18 If I had been cozy with evil, the Lord would never have listened.
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.
18 If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me,
28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
28 You'll need me then. You'll call for me, but don't expect an answer. No matter how hard you look, you won't find me.
28 "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
28 "When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.
(Read Proverbs 1:20-33)
Solomon, having showed how dangerous it is to hearken to the temptations of Satan, here declares how dangerous it is not to hearken to the calls of God. Christ himself is Wisdom, is Wisdoms. Three sorts of persons are here called by Him: 1. Simple ones. Sinners are fond of their simple notions of good and evil, their simple prejudices against the ways of God, and flatter themselves in their wickedness. 2. Scorners. Proud, jovial people, that make a jest of every thing. Scoffers at religion, that run down every thing sacred and serious. 3. Fools. Those are the worst of fools that hate to be taught, and have a rooted dislike to serious godliness. The precept is plain; Turn you at my reproof. We do not make a right use of reproofs, if we do not turn from evil to that which is good. The promises are very encouraging. Men cannot turn by any power of their own; but God answers, Behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you. Special grace is needful to sincere conversion. But that grace shall never be denied to any who seek it. The love of Christ, and the promises mingled with his reproofs, surely should have the attention of every one. It may well be asked, how long men mean to proceed in such a perilous path, when the uncertainty of life and the consequences of dying without Christ are considered? Now sinners live at ease, and set sorrow at defiance; but their calamity will come. Now God is ready to hear their prayers; but then they shall cry in vain. Are we yet despisers of wisdom? Let us hearken diligently, and obey the Lord Jesus, that we may enjoy peace of conscience and confidence in God; be free from evil, in life, in death, and for ever.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
8 God can't stand pious poses, but he delights in genuine prayers.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
(Read Proverbs 15:8-9)
The wicked put other things in the stead of Christ's atonement, or in the place of holy obedience. Praying graces are his gift, and the work of his Spirit, with which he is well pleased.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 66:18
Commentary on Psalm 66:13-20
(Read Psalm 66:13-20)
We should declare unto those that fear God, what he has done for our souls, and how he has heard and answered our prayers, inviting them to join us in prayer and praise; this will turn to our mutual comfort, and to the glory of God. We cannot share these spiritual privileges, if we retain the love of sin in our hearts, though we refrain from the gross practice, Sin, regarded in the heart, will spoil the comfort and success of prayer; for the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination of the Lord. But if the feeling of sin in the heart causes desires to be rid of it; if it be the presence of one urging a demand we know we must not, cannot comply with, this is an argument of sincerity. And when we pray in simplicity and godly sincerity, our prayers will be answered. This will excite gratitude to Him who hath not turned away our prayer nor his mercy from us. It was not prayer that fetched the deliverance, but his mercy that sent it. That is the foundation of our hopes, the fountain of our comforts; and ought to be the matter of our praises.