Psalm 66:18

Modern

If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

Traditional

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Literal

If I had seen iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

Latin

Iniquitatem si aspexi in corde meo, non exaudiet Dominus.

Hebrew

English

If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

Confession leads to restoration (see Psalm 32:5).

The private testimony at the end of the psalm matches the public praise at the beginning (Psalm 66:1–4).

This anonymous psalm includes two hymns (Psalm 66:1–12, 13–20) that praise God for saving his people.

Theme notes and profiles

John 9:31
We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will.
Proverbs 28:9
Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:8
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Isaiah 1:15
When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.
James 4:3
And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.
Proverbs 21:13
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
Job 27:8–9
For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?
Job 36:21
Be careful not to turn to iniquity, for this you have preferred to affliction.

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God