Musnad Abu Ya'la al-Mawsili 152:110

Abu Khaythama narrated to us, Jarir narrated to us, from al-A'mash, from Malik ibn al-Harith, from 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Yazid, who said: 'Abdullah said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "There is no one to whom praise is more beloved than Allah; for that reason, He praised Himself. And there is no one more jealous than Allah; for that reason, He forbade immoralities. And there is no one to whom an excuse is more beloved than Allah; for that reason, He sent down the Book and sent the messengers."