Proverbs 15:26

26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.

Proverbs 15:26 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:26

The thoughts of the wicked [are] an abomination to the Lord,
&c.] They are known unto the Lord, who is the searcher of the heart, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of it; he knows they are vain and sinful, yea, that they are only evil, and that continually, and therefore are hateful and abominable to him; it may be rendered "the thoughts of evil", as by the Targum; or evil thoughts, as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and the Oriental versions; but Aben Ezra interprets as we, the thoughts of a wicked man, which are never otherwise but evil; whereas in a good man, though there are many evil thoughts which are abominable to himself, yet there are some good thoughts, and which are pleasing to the Lord, as follows; but [the words] of the pure [are] pleasant words;
that is, unto the Lord; which are the same with their thoughts, and are the effect of them, and so stand opposed to the thoughts of the wicked; these, expressed either in a way of prayer or of praise, are sweet and pleasant, and acceptable unto God through Christ; as likewise their words and discourse in religious conversation, which also minister grace unto the hearer, and are very delightful and pleasing to saints; the words may be supplied thus, "but [the thoughts] of the pure", of such who are pure in heart, whose hearts are purified by faith in the blood of Christ, are "words of pleasantness", so Gersom; there is a language in thought which is known to a man's self, and by the Lord; there is the meditation or discourse of the heart, and this being about divine and spiritual things is pleasing to God; he hearkens to it, and writes a book of remembrance for them that fear him, and have thought on his name; see ( Psalms 19:14 ) ( Malachi 3:16 ) .

Proverbs 15:26 In-Context

24 For the wise the path of life leads upward, in order to avoid Sheol below.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but maintains the widow's boundaries.
26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.
27 Those who are greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households, but those who hate bribes will live.
28 The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.