“is an abomination.” Sacrifices and offerings made to God by wicked people are an abomination to God; He has no respect for them and will not accept them. Sacrifices and offerings were never designed to make a person with an evil heart acceptable in the sight of God. This verse is similar to Proverbs 21:27.

[For more information about the sacrifices of wicked people being of no value, see commentary on Amos 5:22.]

“brings his favor.” The Hebrew word for “favor” is ratzon (#07522 רָצוֹן), and refers to favor, delight, pleasure, or acceptance. Thus the verse can be saying that the prayer of the upright is God’s delight, or that the prayer of the upright brings God’s favor. Although both translations are true to the text, when we examine the scope of Scripture it is clear that people pray, and God urges us to pray, to bring His favor and help accomplish His work on earth. James tells us that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16). Elijah prayed and it did not rain, and then he prayed again and it rained. Job prayed for his friends and God forgave them (Job 42:8). Although God is no doubt delighted with the prayers of the upright, the message throughout the Scripture is that they bring His favor, and there is no reason not to represent that fact in the text here.