The Lord’s Delight
Commonplace –
“They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight” (Proverbs 11:20).
The word ‘froward’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘ʿiqqēš, which means “twisted, distorted, crooked, perverse, perverted” (“H6141”). In Proverbs 11:20, the writer tells us that being the type of person who is perverted or crooked is disgusting to the Lord. In contrast an upright person, a straight person, delights the Lord.
As Matthew Henry notes in is Commentary,
“It concerns us to know what God hates and what he loves, that we may govern ourselves accordingly, may avoid his displeasure and recommend ourselves to his favour” (699).
God makes his expectations clear to us, which is a kindness. There is no guessing needed. The only thing left to us is to choose wisely.
Works Cited
“H6141 – ʿiqqēš – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (KJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 6 Mar, 2026. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h6141/kjv/wlc/0-1/.
Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 11:20.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.
Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.
© 2026 Angela Hormberg
We'd love to hear from you!