Meaning, commentary and cross references
Psalms 66:18
“If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
NIV · New International Version
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
WEB · World English Bible
If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn’t have listened.
What does Psalms 66:18 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on 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" (h), 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…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Psalms 66:13–20
(2.) He had wrought in him a dread of sin as an enemy to prayer (Psa 66:18): If I regard iniquity in my heart, I know very well the Lord will not hear me. The Jewish writers, some of them that have the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy, put a very corrupt gloss upon these words: If I regard iniquity in my heart, that is (say they), If I allow myself only in heart-sins, and iniquity does not break out in my words and actions, God will not hear me, that is, he will not be offended with me, will take no notice of it, so as to lay it to my charge; as if heart-sins were no sins in God's account. The falsehood of this our Saviour has shown in his spiritual exposition of the law, Mt. 5.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 66:17–20
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. 19. But truly God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. 20. Blessed be God! who hath not turned away my prayer, and his mercy from me. 17. I cried unto him with my mouth He proves that he owed his safety to Divine interposition, from the circumstance of his having prayed, and in consequence, having sensibly experienced his kindness.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Psalms 66:15–20 (WEB)
15I will offer to you burnt offerings of fat animals, with the offering of rams, I will offer bulls with goats. Selah. 16Come and hear, all you who fear God. I will declare what he has done for my soul. 17I cried to him with my mouth. He was extolled with my tongue. 18If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn’t have listened. 19But most certainly, God has listened. He has heard the voice of my prayer. 20Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor his loving kindness from me.
Cross references
- John 9:31
We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, he listens to him.
- Proverbs 28:9
He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
- Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
- Proverbs 15:8
The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
- Isaiah 1:15
When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you. Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
- James 4:3
You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
- Proverbs 21:13
Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
- Job 27:8–9
For what is the hope of the godless, when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?