Psalms 51:4
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
David isn't minimizing his sin against others, but rather revealing the ultimate target of all sin: God. He's declaring that while his actions wronged people, the core offense was a rebellion against the divine authority and love that he knew so intimately.
This psalm is a profound prayer of repentance attributed to David after his sin with Bathsheba and his involvement in Uriah's death. It follows the confrontation by the prophet Nathan, who has revealed David's transgression. The words here are spoken from a place of deep personal anguish, acknowledging the gravity of his actions not just as offenses against others, but as a fundamental rebellion against God.
David cries out, 'Against you, you only, have I sinned!' But didn't he sin against Bathsheba and Uriah too? What does he mean by 'you only'?
When David confesses, 'Against you, you only, have I sinned,' he’s not denying the harm done to Bathsheba or Uriah. Instead, he’s identifying the ultimate target of every sin.
Why 'You Only'?
David knows his sin is terrible, but he also sees how it will justify God. How can a sinful act reveal God's righteousness?
David's confession isn't just about his guilt; it's also about God's character. He declares that his sin, when judged by God, will ultimately vindicate the Lord.
The Outcome of David's Sin:
Understand the original words
tsadaq · Hebrew Verb
To declare someone righteous or vindicated. It involves a legal or judicial standing where one is cleared of charges or proven to be in the right.
zakak · Hebrew Adjective
A state of being morally pure, innocent, or without fault. In legal contexts, it implies that one's actions or sentences are beyond reproach or critique.
David's profound confession in Psalm 51:4 emphasizes that while his actions deeply wronged Bathsheba and Uriah, his primary anguish stems from violating God's law and character. This perspective highlights that all sin, regardless of its earthly consequences, is fundamentally an offense against the Creator, underscoring God's ultimate sovereignty and justice.
c. 990 BC— this verse
David commits adultery with Bathsheba
King David, while his army is at war, commits adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of his loyal soldiers.
c. 990 BC
David arranges Uriah's death
To cover up his sin, David plots to have Uriah killed in battle, which results in the death of Uriah and several other soldiers.
c. 990 BC
Nathan confronts David
The prophet Nathan is sent by God to confront David about his sins of adultery and murder, leading to David's deep repentance.
c. 990 BC
David's repentance and confession
Following Nathan's confrontation, David composes Psalm 51 as a profound expression of his sorrow, confession, and plea for forgiveness.
This passage shows David's immediate confession to Nathan after his sin is exposed, echoing the sentiment of Psalm 51:4 that sin is ultimately against God, even when it involves wrongdoing against others.
Romans 3:3-4The Apostle Paul directly quotes this verse, applying it to demonstrate God's faithfulness and righteousness even when humans are unfaithful, highlighting the ultimate sovereignty of God's judgment and truth.
Luke 15:18-19The parable of the Prodigal Son reveals a similar confession: 'I have sinned against heaven and before you' (Luke 15:18). This mirrors David's focus on sinning against God first, acknowledging his broken relationship with his Father.
1 Corinthians 10:11This verse speaks of 'all these things happened to them as examples and was written down as warnings for us.' It connects the sin of individuals in the Old Testament, like David, to lessons for believers today, underscoring the lasting relevance of their struggles and confessions.
gillPsalms 51:4: "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest."
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned,.... All sin, though committed against a fellow creature, being a transgression of the law, is against the lawgiver; and, indeed, begins at the neglect or contempt of his commandment, as David's sin did, 2 Samuel 12:9 ; and being committed against God, that had bestowed so many favours u…
poolePsalms 51:4: "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest."
Against thee, thee only; which is not to be understood simply and absolutely, because he had unquestionably sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah and many others, who were either injured by it, or scandalized at it; but comparatively. So the sense is this, Though I have sinned against my own body and conscience, and against othe…
David isn't minimizing his sin against others, but rather revealing the ultimate target of all sin: God. He's declaring that while his actions wronged people, the core offense was a rebellion against the divine authority and love that he knew so intimately.
This psalm is a profound prayer of repentance attributed to David after his sin with Bathsheba and his involvement in Uriah's death. It follows the confrontation by the prophet Nathan, who has revealed David's transgression. The words here are spoken from a place of deep personal anguish, acknowledging the gravity of his actions not just as offenses against others, but as a fundamental rebellion against God.
This psalm is a profound prayer of repentance attributed to David after his sin with Bathsheba and his involvement in Uriah's death. It follows the confrontation by the prophet Nathan, who has revealed David's transgression. The words here are spoken from a place of deep personal anguish, acknowledging the gravity of his actions not just as offenses against others, but as a fundamental rebellion against God.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Psalms 51:4 is available in the Sola app.
"Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment." — David isn't minimizing his sin against others, but rather revealing the ultimate target of all sin: God. He's declaring that while his actions wronged people, the core offense was a rebellion against…
