John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. To do justice and judgment , etc.] The moral duties of religion, what is holy, just, and good, which the law requires; what is agreeably to both tables, piety towards God, and justice to men; that which is just and right between man and man; which, especially if done from right principles and with right views, [is] more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice ; not than any sacrifice; than the sacrifice of a broken heart, or the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, or of acts of goodness and beneficence, or of a man’s whole self to the Lord; but than ceremonial sacrifices; which, though of divine institution, and typical of Christ, and when offered up in the faith of him, were acceptable to God, while in force; yet not when done without faith and in hypocrisy, and especially when done to cover and countenance immoral actions; and, even when compared with moral duties, the latter were preferable to them; (see 1 Samuel 15:22) ( Mark 12:33).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 3 - Many deceive themselves with a conceit that outward devotions wil excuse unrighteousness.
Original Hebrew עשׂה6213 צדקה6666 ומשׁפט4941 נבחר977 ליהוה3068 מזבח׃2077
