Psalms 66:18

If I regard iniquitie in my heart: the Lord will not heare me. Psalms 66:18 (KJV)

Psalm 66:18 (KJV) says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”

Context: To understand the verse better, let’s examine the context of Psalm 66, a psalm attributed to King David and a song of praise and thanksgiving for God’s mighty deeds. It begins with a call to all the earth to shout joyfully to God, praising His works, and the psalmist recounts various instances where God demonstrated His power and delivered His people.

The Nature of Iniquity: In this verse, “iniquity” refers to sin or wickedness—any deliberate disobedience or rebellion against God’s commandments and standards of righteousness, including harboring evil thoughts, motives, or actions contrary to God’s will.

The Importance of a Pure Heart: The psalmist highlights the significance of a pure heart in our relationship with God. “If I regard iniquity in my heart…” implies that if we willingly hold onto sin, cherishing and nurturing it in our hearts, God will not hear our prayers. God desires sincerity, honesty, and a repentant heart from His people.

Hindrances to Effective Prayer: The verse suggests that unconfessed sin creates a barrier between us and God, disrupting the intimacy and effectiveness of our prayers. Because God is holy and cannot tolerate sin, we must deal with our iniquities to maintain a right relationship with Him.

The Necessity of Confession and Repentance: To maintain a vibrant and unhindered relationship with God, it is crucial to confess our sins and repent genuinely. Confession involves acknowledging our sins before God, seeking His forgiveness, and turning away from those sinful behaviors. Repentance means changing our mindset and behavior, embracing God’s ways instead of following our own desires.

God’s Faithfulness and Mercy: While this verse highlights the consequence of regarding iniquity in our hearts, it is important to remember that God is gracious and merciful. Throughout Scripture we see God’s willingness to forgive and restore those who genuinely repent and seek His forgiveness. In 1 John 1:9 (KJV) we are assured, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”