Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Bible References

Sacrifice

Proverbs 21:27

The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable and offensive [to the Lord].
How much more [unacceptable and insulting can it be] when he brings it with evil intention?
Proverbs 28:9

He who turns his ear away from listening to the law [of God and man],
Even his prayer is repulsive [to God].
Isaiah 1:10

Hear the word of the Lord [rulers of Jerusalem],
You rulers of [another] Sodom,
Listen to the law and instruction of our God,
You people of [another] Gomorrah.
Isaiah 61:8

For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery with a burnt offering.
And I will faithfully reward them,
And make an everlasting covenant with them.
Isaiah 66:3

“He who kills an ox [for pagan sacrifice] is [as guilty] as one who kills a man;
He who sacrifices a lamb, as one who breaks a dog’s neck;
He who offers a grain offering, as one who offers swine’s blood;
He who offers incense, as one who blesses an idol.
Such people have chosen their own ways,
And their soul delights in their repulsive acts;
Jeremiah 6:20

“For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba
And the sweet cane from a distant land?
Your burnt offerings are not acceptable
And your sacrifices are not sweet and pleasing to Me.”
Jeremiah 7:21
Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat the meat.
Amos 5:21

“I hate, I despise and reject your [sacred] feasts,
And I do not take delight in your solemn assemblies.
John 4:24
God is spirit [the Source of life, yet invisible to mankind], and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

The prayer

Proverbs 15:29

The Lord is far from the wicked [and distances Himself from them],
But He hears the prayer of the [consistently] righteous [that is, those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].
1 Chronicles 29:17
I know also, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness and integrity. In the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. So now with joy I have seen Your people who are present here, make their offerings willingly and freely to You.
Psalm 17:1
Hear the just (righteous) cause, O Lord; listen to my loud [piercing] cry;
Listen to my prayer, that comes from guileless lips.
Song of Songs 2:14
(The Bridegroom)
“O my dove, [here] in the clefts in the rock,
In the sheltered and secret place of the steep pathway,
Let me see your face,
Let me hear your voice;
For your voice is sweet,
And your face is lovely.”

General references

Genesis 20:17
So Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maids, and they again gave birth to children,
Leviticus 11:34
Any of the food which may be eaten, but on which [unclean] water falls, shall become unclean, and any liquid that may be drunk in every container shall become unclean.
Proverbs 21:3

To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice [for wrongs repeatedly committed].
James 1:7
For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything [at all] from the Lord,