Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 66:18
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]:
18, 19. If I had regarded iniquity in my heart,
The Lord would not hear:
But verily God hath heard.
Hypocrisy disqualifies the suppliant, but he is confident that he is no hypocrite, and the answer to his prayer justifies him. There is no self-righteousness in this, but the simplicity of “a conscience void of offence toward God and men.” Cp. Hezekiah’s plea, Isa 38:3; and Psa 17:1 ff; Psa 18:20 ff; Job 16:17; Isa 1:15; Isa 59:2-3; 1Jn 3:21; &c.; and Isa 1:13 (R.V.), “I cannot away with iniquity and the solemn meeting”; i.e. tolerate the union of religious observances and iniquitous conduct.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
If I regard iniquity in my heart – literally, If I have seen iniquity in my heart. That is, If I have indulged in a purpose of iniquity; if I have had a wicked end in view; if I have not been willing to forsake all sin; if I have cherished a purpose of pollution or wrong. The meaning is not literally, If I have seen any iniquity in my heart – for no one can look into his own heart, and not see that it is defiled by sin; but, If I have cherished it in my soul; if I have gloated over past sins; if I am purposing to commit sin again; if I am not willing to abandon all sin, and to be holy.
The Lord will not hear me – That is, He will not regard and answer my prayer. The idea is, that in order that prayer may be heard, there must be a purpose to forsake all forms of sin. This is a great and most important principle in regard to prayer. The same principle is affirmed or implied in Psa 18:41; Psa 34:15; Pro 1:28; Pro 15:29; Pro 28:9; Isa 15:1-9; Jer 11:11; Jer 14:12; Zec 7:13; Joh 9:31. It is also especially stated in Isa 58:3-7. The principle is applicable
(a) to secret purposes of sin; to sinful desires, corrupt passions. and evil propensities;
(b) to acts of sin in individuals, as when a man is pursuing a business founded on fraud, dishonesty, oppression, and wrong;
(c) to public acts of sin, as when a people fast and pray Isa 58:1-14, and yet hold their fellow-men in bondage; or enact and maintain unjust and unrighteous laws; or uphold the acts of wicked rulers; or countenance and support by law that which is contrary to the law of God; and
(d) to the feelings of an awakened and trembling sinner when he is professedly seeking salvation.
If there is still the love of evil in his heart; if he has some cherished purpose of iniquity which he is not willing to abandon; if there is any one sin, however small or unimportant it may seem to be, which he is not willing to forsake, he cannot hope that God will hear his prayer; he may be assured that he will not. All prayer, to be acceptable to God, must be connected with a purpose to forsake all sin.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 66:18
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.
The petitions of the insincere unavailing
I. Consider what is implied in regarding iniquity in the heart. The words do not point to open, profane and scandalous sinners. But there are many who maintain a fair character before men, who, before God, shall be found wanting indeed. They are deceiving themselves, and say they have peace when they have none really. But–
1. These regard iniquity in their hearts who secretly practise it, fearing the world, but not God. They forget Jer 23:24.
2. Who indulge the desire of sin though they may be restrained from the actual commission of it. Many do this in regard to impurity, sensuality and malice. But see the words of our Lord (Mat 5:27-28; Mat 5:21-22). And–
3. They who reflect upon past sins with delight, or without sincere humiliation of mind. Perhaps our real disposition, both towards sin and duty, may be as certainly discovered by the state of our minds after, as in the trine of action. For sudden temptation may sweep a man away; but the question which determines what the man is, is what are his thoughts and feelings in regard to his sin afterwards (Job 13:26; Psa 25:7).
4. Those who look upon the sins of others with approbation or without grief. Not as in Psa 119:136; Psa 119:158; Jer 13:17; 2Pe 2:7-8. Some there are who find mirth in others sins (Pro 14:9). And–
5. They are to be suspected who are loth to bring themselves to real searching of heart, or that God should try them (Psa 19:12). Now, all such do more or less regard iniquity in their hearts. But–
II. God will not hear them. This means–
1. When they cry for deliverance from affliction. God does hear the cry of His children (Psa 91:15; Psa 50:15). There are three different objects of desire to a good man while in affliction–the Divine presence to support him under it; the sanctified use of it for the improvement of the spiritual life; and, in due time, complete deliverance from it. The two first, he that regards iniquity in his heart will hardly ask; and the last he shall not be able to obtain (Hos 7:14).
2. He will not hear them when they intercede for others (Joh 9:31). It is the prayer of the believing righteous man that availeth (Jam 5:15-16). How terrible not to be able to intercede for others because we are of those whom God will not hear. How diligent we should be, who have to pray for others, to see to it that we walk with God.
3. When they draw near to Him in worship (Isa 1:14-15; Pro 15:8). Nor–
4. When they cry for mercy at the last (Gal 6:7; Mat 7:22-23; Pro 1:24; Pro 1:28).
Conclusion.
1. Let the ungodly be alarmed: it only regarding iniquity in the heart cause men to be rejected of God, how shall you appear who are living in open and gross sin?
2. Let us each and all examine ourselves whether we be of those spoken of here. Do we mourn over secret sins, and grieve because of the sin of others? Ask God to search and try your ways. Guard against your besetting sins and live continually as in the presence of God. (J. Witherspoon.)
The evil of regarding iniquity in the heart
I. A supposition stated. When may it be said that iniquity is regarded in the heart?
1. When it is permitted to reign in the life.
2. When we offer apologies for its existence.
3. When we evince no solicitude for its destruction.
4. When we make provision for its desires.
II. A consequence deduced. The Lord will not hear me (Psa 66:19-20). This supposes–
1. That prayer may be offered to God, even when iniquity is regarded in the heart.. Sinners pray when they are in trouble; Pharaoh confessed his sin (Exo 9:27-28); the Pharisee stood and prayed in the temple, but his language evinced the pride and haughtiness of his heart.
2. That where iniquity is regarded in the heart, the prayer is unacceptable to God.
3. That the man whose prayer God will not hear is in a most pitiable state.
Inferences.
1. How utterly impossible it is to deceive God (2Ch 16:9).
2. That there may be a fair show of religious profession, even where iniquity is regarded in the heart.
3. That the most effectual way to secure success in our prayers, is to hate iniquity and put away our sin, and beseech God to prove us, etc.
4. That if God has not answered our prayers, we should be solicitous to know the cause, and find out the hindrance. (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.)
When God will be found
There is a great deal of praying that is merely a form, and of the lips only. And a great deal that is abomination to the Lord, because the heart is not right. God wile not hear prayer that does not fulfil the conditions of prayer. They are–
I. Obedience. So long as I knowingly refuse obedience, no amount or vehemence of prayer will avail. I must lift up clean hands, or He will turn away in righteous anger.
II. Wholeheartedness. They that seek Him with the whole heart will find Him. None other. God is a jealous God. Therefore halfheartedness will find no favour with Him. How often does God find it necessary to try His people and keep them waiting, till their hearts wax warm and in dead earnest, and their whole being goes out to Him in prayer.
III. A cleansed heart. See the text. An evil heart–of unbelief, of cherished sin, of impure desire, of malice, envy, worldliness–may spoil all our prayers and make them a very snare and a cursing. Oh, it is a fearful thing to come before God in prayer By our very prayers we shall be judged, both now and at the day of judgment. What wonder, then, that so many prayers are unanswered? (J. M. Sherwood, D. D.)
Prayer answered only when offered in sincerity
I. What it is for a man to regard sin in his heart.
1. It is to have a constant and habitual love of it. This true of all the unregenerate. It is born with him and he loves it (Eph 5:29).
2. An unmortified habit or course of sin. Even a child of God may have this: David had (Psa 38:5).
3. An actual retention of the mind upon sin.
II. What it is to have our prayers accepted with God. It is to prevail with God for the obtaining of what we desire.
III. How it is that such regard of sin hinders our prayers.
1. Because in such case we cannot pray by the Spirit, and no other prayers find answer.
2. We cannot pray in faith.
3. Nor with fervour
IV. Application. Let all seek when they pray to have sincere hearts, free from hypocrisy and the love of sin. For otherwise our prayers cannot prosper, and, moreover, we incur the danger of a heavy curse (Gen 27:12). Therefore, before prayer, let us examine ourselves. This, if anything, will clear the coast. Sift yourselves by examining as Satan does by tempting. (R. South, D.D.)
The hindrances to acceptable prayer
I. The blessing designed–that the Lord will hear us. This supposes–
1. That our prayer be rightly endorsed and presented, which can only be through the atonement of Christ. True, when men, like Balaam, are set on their iniquity, God will at times let them have their way. But the text speaks of a right answer to a right prayer.
2. That our prayers are for permitted things.
II. The declared hindrance to prayer–If I regard iniquity in my heart. Now–
1. This is not sin in the life so much as in the heart which is contemplated. The blind mans reasoning was right (Joh 9:31). And yet men will keep up the form of prayer though purposing to sin.
2. And it need not be some definite sin that is designed, but if the desires of the mind be turned to sin, then prayer is hindered.
III. The reason of this declared connection between sin and disregarded prayer. Because in such state of heart we cannot pray. We may recite words, but we cannot pray. Let us deal honestly with God in our prayers. (Daniel Moore, M. A.)
Prayer with iniquity in the heart
If iniquity is regarded in the heart–
I. Prayer must be insincere.
1. For the most part, when men engage in prayer, they ask those things for which they are taught to pray.
2. If they regard iniquity in their heart, they cannot be sincere.
3. For they cannot really desire such blessings.
II. Prayer must be faithless.
1. Without faith, there is no prayer.
2. Faith, if it exists, is one of many graces, and itself purifies.
3. If we regard iniquity in our hearts, we cannot have faith, and, therefore, God cannot hear us.
III. Prayer cannot be in accordance with the Divine will.
1. Supposing that the man who regards iniquity in his heart be sincere, his prayer must be for what, etc.
2. He must be rejected.
IV. God will show His displeasure by refusing to hear.
1. Supposing that the man, etc., is offering a prayer for promised blessings, and–
2. That he is sincere, yet–
3. God has a controversy with him.
V. The ends of which we seek the accomplishment, through the blessings asked, must be discountenanced by God.
1. The man asks what is right.
2. He asks sincerely. But–
3. He asks right things for an improper end. We plead the glory of God–the name of Christ. (J. Stewart.)
When may iniquity be said to be in the heart? –
I. There would be iniquity in the heart, in professing to be penitentially humbled on account of any course of action, with which we have had nothing to do, or that is right in itself.
II. There would be iniquity in the heart, if we committed ourselves to any enterprise, without consulting Gods will at the outset.
III. There would be iniquity in the heart, in imploring the Almighty to bless means essentially inadapted to the end.
IV. There would be iniquity in the heart, in supplicating the almighty to enable one class of his sinful creatures to inflict injuries upon another.
V. There would be iniquity in the heart, in entreating Him to bless any instrumentality which He has prohibited. If Christianity expresses the will of God, and if Christianity is embodied in the life of Christ, then war is prohibited. And to ask Him to bless it, is to ask Him to promote rebellion against Himself. (Homilist.)
Iniquity in the heart a hindrance to prayer
Is there any difficulty in seeing why the utterances of one that cherisheth sin can never be wafted thus on high? How comes it that we weak men can ever engage in a work so lofty, so hard, as prayer, a work requiring the putting forth of all the powers of mind and soul? Is it not because there is a Spirit who helpeth our infirmities? Shall His voice be heard from the chamber of a heart in which the love of sin reigns? Will He, the Spirit of purity, work with a heart which is the willing slave of corruption? Again. As the man who regards iniquity in his heart cannot pray in the strength of God the Holy Ghost, so he cannot pray in faith. It is only when our heart, honestly questioned, carefully examined by the rule of Gods commandment, does not condemn us, that we can have confidence towards God. As the Spirit will not inspire, nor faith give wings to the prayer of the lover of sin, so neither can the prayer of such have any glow of life. In such prayers there can be none of that violence to which-alone the kingdom of heaven will yield; none of that seeking, knocking, striving, without which we can never find, never have heaven open to us, never enter by the strait gate. A great teacher of the Early Church, one who by Gods grace was rescued from a sinful life, and was enabled when he was converted to strengthen his brethren, confessed that at one time he had been in the habit of praying against a foul sin, nursing all the while a secret hope that his prayer might not be granted. Let those whose first thought on hearing this is one of incredulous horror diligently ask themselves whether, were they as honest as he in the task of learning to know themselves, they would not have to fall under the same condemnation. I dread to sacrifice to the gods with unwashed hands, said a grand old heathen warrior, nor is it comely to present my supplication besmeared with blood and strife. Besmeared with blood and strife we surely are as often as we come into Gods presence by our bedside or in His House of Prayer with thoughts and deeds of cruelty, of pride, of selfishness, of meanness and unkindness unrepented of; unwashed our hands surely are when our spirits are defiled with the stains of sin which we do not loathe, and in which we acquiesce, instead of being unwilling to rest until they be blotted out. Forgiving, tranquil, pure must his breast be who would worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; he that would take upon him the name of Christ must see to it that his steps depart from iniquity; he that would pray aright must sift his heart ere he kneel, lest he offer the sacrifice of fools; he that would rise from addressing God and joyfully cry with the psalmist, Blessed be God which hath not cast out my prayer, nor turned His mercy from me, must first approach Gods awful presence with fear and trembling and a reverent heed that the hands which he lifts up be holy hands, that the heart whose desires his lips are to declare be one that regardeth not iniquity. (G. H. Whitaker, M. A.)
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Psa 67:1-7
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 18. If I regard iniquity in my heart] “If I have seen ( raithi) iniquity in my heart,” if I have known it was there, and encouraged it; if I pretended to be what I was not; if I loved iniquity, while I professed to pray and be sorry for my sin; the Lord, Adonai, my Prop, Stay, and Supporter, would not have heard, and I should have been left without help or support.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
If I regard, Heb. if I have or had seen, or looked upon, to wit, with approbation and affection, as Job 31:26; Hab 1:13. Men look upon what they like, and turn away their face from what they loathe or hate.
Iniquity; any sin whatsoever, and especially idolatry, which is oft expressed by this word, to which the Israelites were very prone, and to which they had most powerful temptations from the examples, and counsels, and promises, and threats of the idolaters, in whose land and power they had been. And so this is a purgation of themselves from that crime, somewhat like that Psa 44:20,21, and in general from those gross and reigning sins whereof they had been guilty formerly.
In my heart; if my heart was false to God, and did cleave to idols or to any wickedness, although I might for some prudential reasons forbear the gross and outward acts. Compare Psa 44:17,18. If I had been guilty of that hypocrisy wherewith mine enemies charged me, and had been a secret favourer of wickedness when I pretended great piety. Or, If I did not cry unto God with my heart, but only howled for corn and wine, &c.; and whilst I cried to God with my tongue, my heart was set upon sin, or I desired only that which I resolved in my heart to spend upon my lusts.
Will not hear me; or, would not have heard me; as divers learned interpreters translate it; the future being put potentially, as is usual among the Hebrews. For God heareth not sinners, Joh 9:31, nor hypocrites, Job 27:8,9; Pr 15:29.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
18. If I regard iniquity in myheartliterally, “see iniquity with pleasure.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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 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 Joh 9:31.
h “si vidi”, Pagninus, Montanus; “si aspexi”, V. L. “si conspexi”, Gejerus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(18) If I regard . . .Rather, if I had seen evil (i.e., had had it purposely in view) in my heart, the Lord would not have heard me. One may not be pardoned and retain the offence. The reference may be either to the forming of wicked schemes, or to the complacent view of wickedness in others.
The protestation of innocence in this verse, being made by or for the community at large, marks a late period for the composition. (See Introduction, and Psalms 44, Introduction and Notes.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
DISCOURSE: 607
SIN A PREVENTIVE TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF OUR PRAYERS
Psa 66:18-20. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. But verily God hath heard me: he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, who hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me!
THE communion of saints is an exalted privilege; and they who fear the Lord will speak often one to another upon the subjects which are most interesting to their souls. To magnify the grace of God, and to encourage one another in the ways of holiness, will be delightful to them, and will tend exceedingly to their mutual improvement. Hence David invited his pious brethren to hear the communications which he had to make on this all-important subject: Come and hear, all ye that fear God! and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. Then he tells them of Gods answers to his prayers; but at the same time informs them, that there was one condition only on which either they or he could hope for the acceptance of their prayers, namely, that they put away all sin without hesitation and without exception: for if they regarded iniquity in their heart, the Lord would not hear them.
From the whole of this communication we see,
II.
Gods abhorrence of sin, when harboured and indulged
God is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity [Note: Hab 1:13.]: though he tolerates it in the world, he will sooner or later manifest his indignation against it. But in none does he abhor it more, than in those who profess themselves his people: according to what is written, You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities [Note: Amo 3:2.].
To those who live in the commission of it he will not lend an ear
[There are seasons when the most careless persons will call upon God: In the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us [Note: Jer 2:27.]: and they will pour out a prayer when some heavy chastening is upon them [Note: Isa 26:16.]. Not that they desire deliverance from sin: it is trouble alone that they are anxious to get rid of; and that removed, they would return with pleasure to their former ways. Such were the Jews in the wilderness: When he slew them, then they sought him, and they returned and inquired early after God: and they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their Redeemer. Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues: for their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant [Note: Psa 78:34-37.]. But it is in vain for such hypocrites to hope that God will hear their prayers: for the very sacrifices of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord [Note: Pro 21:27.]: and of this God has fully warned us. He has declared, that though they cry, he will not hear them [Note: Jer 11:11.]; yea, though they cry in his ears, with a loud voice [Note: Eze 8:18.]; yea, though they make many prayers [Note: Isa 1:12-15.]; yea, though with their prayers they fast, and offer burnt-offerings and oblations [Note: Jer 14:12.]: so far from listening to them, he will turn a deaf ear to their petitions, and even laugh at the calamities which they either feel or fear [Note: Pro 1:24-32.]. He will recompense them according to their doings. In the day that he called to them, they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear: and therefore, as he cried, and they would not hear; so when they cry, he will not hear [Note: Zec 7:11; Zec 7:13.].]
Even where sin is not openly indulged, but only harboured in the heart, God will resent it in this way
[Sin, however secret, is not hidden from him: for He sees it, under whatever form it may exist, and in the inmost recesses of the heart: He searcheth the heart, and weigheth the spirits. Indeed, hypocrisy is not a whit less hateful to him than open sin. Let us hear the testimony of holy Job: What is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him [Note: Job 27:8-9.]? Even the most uninstructed of men, who had been born blind, and had had his eyes just recently opened, could say, We know that God heareth not sinners [Note: Joh 9:31.]: and so self-evident was that truth, that not one of his most subtle and malignant enemies could gainsay or resist it. There is, in fact, a general conviction of it in the consciences of all, insomuch that God himself appealed to his hypocritical adversaries respecting it; Shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you [Note: Eze 20:3; Eze 20:31.]: Whether the idol be in the house or in the heart, it is equally hateful in the sight of God, who requireth truth in the inward parts [Note: Psa 51:6.], and will accept none but those who worship him in spirit and in truth [Note: Joh 4:24.].]
On the other hand, no language can express,
II.
His condescension to sinners who are truly upright before him
David, though a sinner of no common stamp, was yet upright before God, as a penitent: for he bitterly bewailed his sins, and sought deliverance from them with his whole heart. There was no iniquity which he desired to hide from God, or to retain within his own bosom. Hence he found acceptance with God, and could bear testimony that God had heard and answered his petitions. And thus, wherever there is a true penitent, we are warranted to assure him,
1.
That God will be merciful to his sins
[It is not sin lamented, but sin retained, or regarded with complacency in the heart, that will provoke Gods indignation against us. A weeping sinner he will receive to mercy, even though his sins may have been of a crimson or a scarlet dye. Never, from the foundation of the world, was one cast out who sought him with real penitence and faith. Manasseh was, perhaps, of all the children of men, the most criminal; yet was not even he rejected, when he truly humbled himself before the Lord his God [Note: 2Ch 33:12-13; 2Ch 33:19.]. And we are authorized to assure the whole world, that if they seek the Lord with their whole hearts, he will not turn away their prayer, nor his mercy from them: on the contrary, he will blot out their iniquities as a morning cloud, and cast all their sins irrecoverably into the very depths of the sea ]
2.
That he will be gracious to their prayers
[There is no want so great, but he will supply it; no concern so small, but he will take the charge of it, and order it for our good. We may go into his presence as to a loving Father, assured, that we may ask what we will, and it shall be done unto us. Even the sigh, the cry, the very breathing of desire will be understood by him, and come up with acceptance before him [Note: Lam 3:55-56.]; and, as in Davids case, our prayers shall be turned into songs of praise and thanksgiving ]
Address
1.
Beware of harbouring any secret lust
[Sin is deceitful; and our treacherous hearts are ever ready to put a favourable construction upon it. But God can discern it, under whatever garb it may be disguised, and by whatever name it may be distinguished. It may be amongst the things which are highly esteemed amongst men: but it will still be an abomination in the sight of God. It may be something as dear to us as a right eye, or as necessary, in our apprehension, as a right hand: but it must be put away, however painful the separation may be: for, if it be spared and retained, it will destroy both body and soul in hell. I must entreat you, therefore, to examine carefully the state of your souls, and with the utmost diligence to purge out the old leaven that defiles them. The Jews were wont, at the time of the passover, to sweep their houses with incredible care, lest one atom of leaven should be left in any corner or recess: and this affords a good example to us in relation to our souls. Yet I would not have you rest satisfied with any endeavours of your own; but beg of God to search and try you, and to see if there be any wicked way in you, and to lead you in the way everlasting: for, as a single leak will sink a ship, so a single lust, unmortified and unsubdued, will sink the soul into everlasting perdition. Oh, think with yourselves, how awful it will be in the last day to cry unto your God, and not be heard! to stand imploring him, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and to receive for answer that terrible sentence, Depart from me, ye who wrought iniquity! May God avert from all of you this fearful doom! and may you all be approved of him at last, as Israelites indeed, in whom was no guile!]
2.
Improve, while you may, the manifold grace of God
[A throne of grace is now open to us; and we may ask what we will, and it shall be done unto us. God assumes to himself the very title of a God that heareth prayer. And he bids us to open our mouths wide, that he may fill them. Moreover, we have an Advocate with the Father, even the Lord Jesus Christ himself, whom the Father heareth always; and who has so loved us, as to give himself a propitiation for our sins. O, what might we not receive, if only we were upright before God! for the prayer of the upright is his delight. Suppose now at this time we had all been really praying to God, in the very spirit of the prayers which we have offered; what blessings would not be flowing down into our souls, even as showers of blessings, as God himself has promised! Verily, if our eyes were opened to see what was passing, we should behold Almighty God taking loads of guilt from multitudes amongst us, and casting it all into the very depths of the sea. We should see the Holy Spirit resting on the heads of all, as on the day of Pentecost, for the purpose of enlightening, comforting, and sanctifying our souls. We should see angels ascending and descending upon us, in order to receive from God, and execute for us, their several commissions adapted to our necessities. I do not hesitate to say, that, if we had all been as much in earnest in our prayers as our words have given reason to expect, this very place would resemble the temple of old, when the glory of God so filled it, that the priests could no longer abide there to minister before the Lord. Yes, our souls would be too full for humanity to sustain it. Dear Brethren, why should we not behold at least a measure of this sacred effusion, and taste a measure of this heavenly grace? God is willing to renew the Pentecostal scenes, if only we were in a state to receive them. It is in ourselves that we are straitened: we are not straitened in our God: he is as able as ever, yea, and as willing too, to do exeeding abundantly for us, above all that we can ask or think. Truly, if we were even one half as earnest as we have professed to be, he would fill every hungry soul, and replenish every sorrowful soul, with his richest communications of grace and peace. Let us arise and call upon our God: and let not our prayer go forth out of feigned lips. And let us remember, for our comfort, that it is not the existence of sin in the soul that will prevent the acceptance of our prayers, (for who then would ever be heard?) but the indulgence of it. Seek truly to have the whole body of sin mortified within you: seek to be pure, as God is pure, and holy, as God is holy. Then will God delight himself in you; and you, according to your measure, shall be filled with all the fulness of your God.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
“Handfuls of Purpose”
For All Gleaners
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” Psa 66:18
The notion is that a man is professedly praying and is at the same time really forming some unkind or wicked scheme in his heart. The morality of the Bible is thus brought into strong view. It will have everything right at the core, and not on the surface only. It will not have prayer regarded in its detached relation, but will search into all the circumstances and conditions of the heart which is professedly praying. We must bring a whole heart to the altar of prayer if our supplications are to be answered. Suppose that a man is praying for the forgiveness of his sins, and is at the same time considering in his heart how he may punish his adversaries, that man’s prayer is an empty wind which will never reach the heavens to which it is addressed. If we are praying for great mercies upon our household, and withholding that which is due from the labourer, our prayer will be wasted breath. If we are orthodox in doctrine and heterodox in conduct, our heterodoxy will keep our prayers out of heaven. A wonderful revelation this of the penetrating spirit of the Bible. It searches the hearts and tries the reins of the children of men; it is sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing to the dividing asunder of the joints and marrow; the word of the Lord is a candle by which the heart is searched. All this, though terrible in one aspect and almost discouraging, is yet when viewed in its fullest relations, most assuring and comforting. It protects us against the prayers of wicked and unworthy men. We know that our enemies cannot pray against us, because being our enemies they cannot pray at all. The Lord will not hear any man whose heart is hard towards his brother.
It is in vain that I seek mercy for myself if I will not extend it to those who have wronged me. Except we forgive we cannot be forgiven. If we forgive not men from our hearts, neither will our Father in heaven forgive us. Again and again we come upon the holy thought that we are in reality just what we are in our heart or in our thought. A comforting reflection lies here, namely, that if our heart be free from guile, no matter how poor our words may be, they shall find acceptance in heaven. Not the prayer that is eloquent in language, but the prayer that is eloquent in sincerity, will be heard and answered from on high. Extend forgiveness to those who have trespassed against you, if you would be sure that your prayers will ascend to heaven and bring back answers of holy peace.
Fuente: The People’s Bible by Joseph Parker
Psa 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]:
Ver. 18. If l regard iniquity in my heart ] If I have but a month’s mind to it, as we say; if I cast but a leering look towards it; if there be in me but an irresolution against it; how much more, then, if I allow it and wallow in it? He who chooseth to hold fast sin doth, by his own election, forsake mercy, Joh 2:8 , neither let such a man think that he shall receive anything at the hands of God, Jas 1:7 . As in a wound, a plaster prevaileth not while the iron remaineth within; so neither prayer while sin rankleth. God will never accept a good motion from a bad mouth, as that State in story would not. A man may deliver an excellent speech, but, because of his stinking breath, we may have no pleasure to hear him; so in this case. Prayer as a pouring out of the heart, as hath been already, observed. If iniquity harbour there, prayer is obstructed, and if it do break out, it will have the scent and savour of that iniquity upon it, and thereby displease. Kimchi maketh this strange sense (quite from the purpose, and from the truth), If I regard iniquity only in my heart, so that I break not forth into outward act, God will not hear, i.e. so hear, as to impute it, or to account it a sin. Pharisaice.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
iniquity. Hebrew. ‘aven. App-44.
The LORD*. One of the 134 places where the Sopherim say they altered Jehovah to Adonai. App-32.
hear = answer.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
If I regard: Job 27:8, Job 27:9, Pro 15:8, Pro 15:29, Pro 21:13, Pro 28:9, Isa 1:15, Joh 9:31, Jam 4:3
Reciprocal: Lev 15:31 – Thus shall Ezr 8:23 – and he was entreated Job 9:16 – If I had Job 16:17 – my prayer Job 16:18 – let my cry Job 22:27 – make thy Job 36:21 – regard Psa 7:3 – if there Psa 19:14 – Let Isa 55:7 – his thoughts Isa 58:9 – shalt thou Jer 4:14 – How long Jer 11:11 – cry Jer 11:14 – for Eze 14:3 – should Eze 20:31 – and shall Joh 4:24 – must Rom 8:27 – knoweth 1Ti 2:8 – lifting 2Ti 2:22 – call 1Jo 3:22 – whatsoever
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 66:18. If I regard iniquity in my heart, &c. Gods hearing and granting my petitions hath brought along with it a testimony of my sincerity in serving him, far more valuable than my kingdom; for, if I had been guilty of known iniquity, or had entertained in my heart a desire or intention to commit it, the Lord, who hates iniquity, would have denied my request. What the psalmist here observes merits our deep attention. From this, and many other passages in the Old Testament, we learn that the religion of the Holy Scriptures has always been the same in substance, and that in the time when various sacrifices and divers ceremonies were enjoined, the truly pious were persuaded that sincerity of heart and purity of intention, with a conscientious care to abstain from all known sin, were things absolutely necessary in order to their pleasing God, and being acceptable in his sight: and that without these, thousands of sacrifices and burnt-offerings, and the most scrupulous observance of outward ceremonies, were of no signification before him who searches the heart, and requires truth in the inward parts.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
66:18 {k} If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]:
(k) If I delight in wickedness, God will not hear me, but if I confess it, he will receive me.