Psalm 66:18 - Cherished Sin Blocks Prayer

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

Psa 66:18 (NIV)  If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord
would not have listened;

Psa 66:18 (NNAS)  If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord
will not hear;

Psa 66:18 (TEV)  If I had ignored my sins, the Lord would not
have listened to me.

Psa 66:18 (TLB)  He would not have listened if I had not
confessed my sins.

Regard means here "to look with favor upon" or "plan." The
believer must take the same attitude toward sin which God takes. A clear
conscience, i.e., one devoid of a desire for sin, is necessary for effectual
prayer. [Believer's SB]

Hear - not merely the act of hearing but includes a favorable
divine response to his prayers. [Jamieson, Fausset, And Brown
Commentary]

Sanctification is a daily work. Let none deceive themselves with
the belief that God will pardon and bless them while they are
trampling upon one of His requirements. The willful commission of a known
sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit, and separates the
soul from God. Whatever may be the ecstasies of religious feeling,
Jesus cannot abide in the heart that disregards the divine law. God
will honor those only who honor Him. MYP114-115

Our confession of sin must be continual because we continue to
do wrong. But true confession requires us to listen to God and to
want to stop doing what is wrong. David confessed his sin and prayed,
"Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins"
(19:12, 13). When we 'refuse' to repent or when we harbor and cherish
certain sins, we place a wall between us and God. We may not be able to
remember 'every' sin we have ever committed, but our attitude should be
one of confession and obedience.  [Life Application SB]

Sometimes our prayers seem to rebound off brass heavens.  Have
we a check in our spirit, but can't put our finger on it?  David's
attitude in prayer was to present his needs, with praise prepared for
their answer.  He knew in what condition his heart needed to be.  To
"cherish wickedness" is elsewhere rendered "regard iniquity," "cherished
sin," and "regard wickedness."  This all means the planned holding
onto a thought or action we know is wrong.  It always costs to sin.
It may feel good thinking a certain thought or doing a certain
deed; but only for a brief moment.  The cost is guilt, shame and loss
of fellowship with our Creator until the sin is dealt a death blow.
 Don't be a fool.  We cannot choose sin and God both.  Neither
will tolerate the other. God hates sin; sin exalts self. Sin will
break your communication with God.  Instead, agree with God that your
sin is wrong and replace it with righteous thoughts and deeds. God
will hearken to your prayer and will answer you.  [In His Time; Walk
With God]