Psalms 66:18

Psalms 66:18 (KJV): "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]:"

This powerful verse from Psalm 66 offers a direct statement about the relationship between a person's inner life and their connection with God through prayer.

Context

Psalm 66 is a song of praise and thanksgiving, celebrating God's mighty deeds on behalf of His people and His personal faithfulness to the psalmist. The first part of the psalm (verses 1-12) is a public call to worship and recount God's historical deliverance. The latter part (verses 13-20) transitions to the psalmist's personal testimony of fulfilling vows and, specifically, of God hearing his prayer. Verse 18 is embedded within this personal testimony, offering a reflection on the conditions under which prayer might *not* be heard, thereby highlighting why his own prayer *was* heard.

Key Themes

• Sin as a Barrier to Prayer: The central message is that cherishing or holding onto sin in one's heart hinders effective prayer.
• God's Holiness: The verse implies God's perfect holiness, which cannot tolerate or condone deliberate sin.
• Sincerity of Heart: True prayer requires a heart that is not willfully clinging to wickedness.
• Divine Hearing: While God is omniscient, this verse speaks to the specific kind of responsive hearing that comes from a relationship unhindered by unconfessed or cherished sin.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "regard iniquity" is significant. The Hebrew word for "regard" is shamar (שָׁמַר), which means to keep, guard, preserve, or cherish. It suggests more than just the presence of sin, but rather a deliberate holding onto or fondness for it in the heart. The word for "iniquity" is 'aven (אָוֶן), often translated as wickedness, trouble, or sorrow, carrying the idea of moral evil or guilt. So, the verse describes a condition where a person cherishes or holds dear to sin within their inner being.

Commentary and Application

Psalms 66:18 teaches a timeless principle: our internal disposition affects our communication with a holy God. It's not merely about committing a sin, but about the posture of the heart towards sin. If someone is secretly cherishing a sin, planning it, or refusing to let go of it, this deliberate harboring of evil creates a separation. God is not obligated to lend a favorable ear to prayers that arise from a heart that is simultaneously clinging to what He detests.

This verse does not imply that God never hears the cry of a sinner seeking salvation or initial repentance. Rather, it speaks to the ongoing relationship of prayer for believers or those seeking a deeper walk. A heart that is unrepentant or actively cherishing sin will find its prayers ineffective or unanswered in the context of growing closer to God. This aligns with other scriptures emphasizing the need for a clean heart and pure hands to approach God, or warnings that turning away from the law makes one's prayer an abomination. It underscores the importance of confession, repentance, and a genuine desire to live righteously for prayer to be effective in the life of a believer seeking fellowship and favor with God.

Reflection

This verse prompts us to examine our hearts honestly. Are there any sins we are cherishing or unwilling to surrender? Acknowledging and repenting of such "regarded iniquity" is essential for maintaining an open line of communication with the Lord and experiencing the power of prayer.