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You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. <a href="/esv/psalms/51.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/psalms/51.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge. <a href="/kjv/psalms/51.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/psalms/51.htm">New King James Version</a> Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. <a href="/nasb_/psalms/51.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge. <a href="/nasb/psalms/51.htm">NASB 1995</a> Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge. <a href="/nasb77/psalms/51.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, And done what is evil in Thy sight, So that Thou art justified when Thou dost speak, And blameless when Thou dost judge. <a href="/lsb/psalms/51.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And pure when You judge. <a href="/amp/psalms/51.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Against You, You only, have I sinned And done that which is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak [Your sentence] And faultless in Your judgment. <a href="/csb/psalms/51.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Against you—you alone—I have sinned and done this evil in your sight. So you are right when you pass sentence; you are blameless when you judge. <a href="/hcsb/psalms/51.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Against You—You alone—I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight. So You are right when You pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge. <a href="/asv/psalms/51.htm">American Standard Version</a> Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, And done that which is evil in thy sight; That thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, And be clear when thou judgest. <a href="/cev/psalms/51.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You are really the one I have sinned against; I have disobeyed you and have done wrong. So it is right and fair for you to correct and punish me. <a href="/erv/psalms/51.htm">English Revised Version</a> Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight: that thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. <a href="/gwt/psalms/51.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I have sinned against you, especially you. I have done what you consider evil. So you hand down justice when you speak, and you are blameless when you judge. <a href="/gnt/psalms/51.htm">Good News Translation</a> I have sinned against you--only against you--and done what you consider evil. So you are right in judging me; you are justified in condemning me. <a href="/isv/psalms/51.htm">International Standard Version</a> Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done what was evil in your sight. As a result, you are just in your pronouncement and clear in your judgment. <a href="/net/psalms/51.htm">NET Bible</a> Against you--you above all--I have sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. So you are just when you confront me; you are right when you condemn me. <a href="/nheb/psalms/51.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Against you, and you only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight; that you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge. <a href="/wbt/psalms/51.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/psalms/51.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge. <a href="/web/psalms/51.htm">World English Bible</a> Against you, and you only, I have sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight, so you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/psalms/51.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Against You, You only, I have sinned, "" And done evil in Your eyes, "" So that You are righteous in Your words, "" You are pure in Your judging. <a href="/ylt/psalms/51.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, And done the evil thing in Thine eyes, So that Thou art righteous in Thy words, Thou art pure in Thy judging. <a href="/slt/psalms/51.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Against thee, thee alone, did I sin, and I did evil in thine eyes: so that thou wilt be justified in thy speaking, and thou wilt be pure in thy judging.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/psalms/51.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee: that thou mayst be justified in thy words and mayst overcome when thou art judged. <a href="/cpdv/psalms/51.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> <V 50:6>Against you only have I sinned, and I have done evil before your eyes. And so, you are justified in your words, and you will prevail when you give judgment. <a href="/nabre/psalms/51.htm">New American Bible</a> Against you, you alone have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your eyes So that you are just in your word, and without reproach in your judgment. <a href="/nrsvce/psalms/51.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/psalms/51.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight; for thou wilt be justified in thy reproof, triumphant in thy judgments. <a href="/hpbt/psalms/51.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> To you alone I have sinned and have committed wickedness before you, because you shall be just in your word and you shall conquer in your judgment.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/psalms/51.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, And done that which is evil in Thy sight; That Thou mayest be justified when Thou speakest, And be in the right when Thou judgest. <a href="/sep/psalms/51.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Against thee only have I sinned, and done evil before thee: that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. <a href="/parallel/psalms/51-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=6058" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/psalms/51.htm">Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God</a> …3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4<a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">Against You,</a> <a href="/hebrew/905.htm" title="905: lə·ḇad·də·ḵā (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Separation, a part. ">You only,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2398.htm" title="2398: ḥā·ṭā·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; properly, to miss; hence to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn.">have I sinned</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śî·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">and done</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: wə·hā·ra‘ (Conj-w, Art:: Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">what is evil</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-cdc:: 2ms) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">in Your sight,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4616.htm" title="4616: lə·ma·‘an (Conj) -- From anah; properly, heed, i.e. Purpose; used only adverbially, on account of, teleologically, in order that.">so that</a> <a href="/hebrew/6663.htm" title="6663: tiṣ·daq (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To be just or righteous. A primitive root; to be right.">You may be proved right</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: bə·ḏā·ḇə·re·ḵā (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 2ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">when You speak</a> <a href="/hebrew/2135.htm" title="2135: tiz·keh (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To be clear, clean or pure. A primitive root; to be translucent; figuratively, to be innocent.">and blameless</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: ḇə·šā·p̄ə·ṭe·ḵā (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 2ms) -- To judge, govern. ">when You judge.</a> 5Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/3-4.htm">Romans 3:4</a> Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge.” <a href="/2_samuel/12-13.htm">2 Samuel 12:13</a> Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die. <a href="/luke/15-18.htm">Luke 15:18-21</a> I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ / So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. ... <a href="/job/9-2.htm">Job 9:2-3</a> “Yes, I know that it is so, but how can a mortal be righteous before God? / If one wished to contend with God, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand. <a href="/1_john/1-9.htm">1 John 1:9</a> If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. <a href="/genesis/39-9.htm">Genesis 39:9</a> No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?” <a href="/jeremiah/14-7.htm">Jeremiah 14:7</a> Although our iniquities testify against us, O LORD, act for the sake of Your name. Indeed, our rebellions are many; we have sinned against You. <a href="/daniel/9-7.htm">Daniel 9:7-9</a> To You, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but this day we are covered with shame—the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, and all Israel near and far, in all the countries to which You have driven us because of our unfaithfulness to You. / O LORD, we are covered with shame—our kings, our leaders, and our fathers—because we have sinned against You. / To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against Him <a href="/isaiah/43-25.htm">Isaiah 43:25</a> I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more. <a href="/micah/7-9.htm">Micah 7:9</a> Because I have sinned against Him, I must endure the rage of the LORD, until He argues my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me into the light; I will see His righteousness. <a href="/1_kings/8-46.htm">1 Kings 8:46-50</a> When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near, / and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’ / and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray to You in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name, ... <a href="/ezra/9-6.htm">Ezra 9:6</a> and said: “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens. <a href="/nehemiah/9-33.htm">Nehemiah 9:33</a> You are just in all that has befallen us, because You have acted faithfully, while we have acted wickedly. <a href="/lamentations/3-39.htm">Lamentations 3:39-42</a> Why should any mortal man complain, in view of his sins? / Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD. / Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven: ... <a href="/matthew/27-4.htm">Matthew 27:4</a> “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight: that you might be justified when you speak, and be clear when you judge.Against<a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a> Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.<a href="/genesis/20-6.htm">Genesis 20:6</a> And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.<a href="/genesis/39-9.htm">Genesis 39:9</a> There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?evil<a href="/genesis/38-7.htm">Genesis 38:7</a> And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.<a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">2 Kings 17:17</a> And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.<a href="/2_kings/21-6.htm">2 Kings 21:6</a> And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.that thou<a href="/psalms/50-4.htm">Psalm 50:4,6</a> He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people… <a href="/luke/7-29.htm">Luke 7:29</a> And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.<a href="/romans/3-4.htm">Romans 3:4</a> God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.when<a href="/acts/17-31.htm">Acts 17:31</a> Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.<a href="/romans/2-5.htm">Romans 2:5</a> But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;<a href="/revelation/15-3.htm">Revelation 15:3,4</a> And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/37-37.htm">Blameless</a> <a href="/psalms/50-23.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/psalms/51-2.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/50-21.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/psalms/50-6.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/james/4-12.htm">Judgest</a> <a href="/psalms/50-6.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/job/40-8.htm">Justified</a> <a href="/psalms/45-16.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/psalms/8-2.htm">Mightest</a> <a href="/psalms/17-3.htm">Proved</a> <a href="/psalms/45-9.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/psalms/50-16.htm">Right</a> <a href="/psalms/37-39.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/psalms/17-2.htm">Sentence</a> <a href="/psalms/44-16.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/psalms/41-4.htm">Sinned</a> <a href="/psalms/50-20.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/psalms/50-20.htm">Speakest</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-10.htm">Thee</a> <a href="/psalms/50-19.htm">Words</a> <a href="/psalms/49-5.htm">Working</a> <a href="/psalms/39-1.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/64-4.htm">Blameless</a> <a href="/psalms/51-13.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/psalms/51-5.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/54-3.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/psalms/54-1.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/psalms/67-4.htm">Judgest</a> <a href="/psalms/72-2.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/psalms/143-2.htm">Justified</a> <a href="/psalms/61-6.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-21.htm">Mightest</a> <a href="/psalms/66-10.htm">Proved</a> <a href="/psalms/51-10.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/psalms/51-10.htm">Right</a> <a href="/psalms/51-19.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/psalms/76-8.htm">Sentence</a> <a href="/psalms/72-14.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/psalms/78-17.htm">Sinned</a> <a href="/psalms/52-3.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-4.htm">Speakest</a> <a href="/psalms/71-6.htm">Thee</a> <a href="/psalms/52-4.htm">Words</a> <a href="/psalms/52-2.htm">Working</a> <a href="/psalms/56-5.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 51</div>1. <a href="/psalms/51-1.htm">David prays for remission of sins, whereof he makes a deep confession</a> 6. <a href="/psalms/51-6.htm">He prays for sanctification</a> 16. <a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">God delights not in sacrifice, but in sincerity</a> 18. <a href="/psalms/51-18.htm">He prays for the church</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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David acknowledges that his sin, though it affected others, is ultimately an offense against God Himself. This reflects the biblical understanding that all sin is a violation of God's holy law (<a href="/genesis/39-9.htm">Genesis 39:9</a>, when Joseph resists Potiphar's wife, he states that sinning would be against God). The repetition of "You" underscores the gravity of the offense and the personal relationship between the sinner and God. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, sin was not just a legal or social issue but a spiritual one, affecting one's covenant relationship with God.and done what is evil in Your sight David recognizes that his actions are not just mistakes or errors in judgment but are inherently evil. This aligns with the biblical teaching that God is the ultimate judge of what is right and wrong (<a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20</a>). The phrase "in Your sight" indicates that God's perspective is the ultimate standard, and nothing is hidden from Him (<a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a>). This acknowledgment of evil in God's sight is crucial for genuine repentance, as it aligns the sinner's view with God's view of sin.so that You may be proved right when You speak Here, David admits that God's judgments are just and righteous. This echoes the theme found in <a href="/romans/3-4.htm">Romans 3:4</a>, where Paul quotes this verse to affirm God's truthfulness and justice. The phrase suggests that God's declarations and judgments are vindicated by the acknowledgment of sin. In the historical context, this reflects the understanding that God's words and actions are always consistent with His character, and human acknowledgment of sin serves to affirm His righteousness.and blameless when You judge David concludes by affirming God's blamelessness in His judgments. This is a recognition of God's perfect justice and fairness (<a href="/deuteronomy/32-4.htm">Deuteronomy 32:4</a>). In the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East, kings and judges were often seen as representatives of divine justice. However, unlike human judges, God's judgments are without error or partiality. This phrase underscores the belief that God's judgments are not only right but also beyond reproach, serving as a model for human justice systems.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/51.htm">Psalm 51</a>, King David wrote this psalm as a confession after being confronted by the prophet Nathan regarding his sin with Bathsheba. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The central figure to whom David is confessing his sin, acknowledging God's righteousness and justice. 3. <a href="/topical/n/nathan_the_prophet.htm">Nathan the Prophet</a> The prophet who confronted David about his sin, leading to David's repentance and the writing of this psalm. 4. <a href="/topical/b/bathsheba.htm">Bathsheba</a> The woman with whom David committed adultery, which is the sin he is confessing in this psalm. 5. <a href="/topical/u/uriah_the_hittite.htm">Uriah the Hittite</a> Bathsheba's husband, whom David had killed to cover up his sin, further compounding his guilt.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/a/acknowledgment_of_sin.htm">Acknowledgment of Sin</a> True repentance begins with acknowledging our sin against God. David's confession highlights the importance of recognizing that all sin is ultimately against God. <a href="/topical/g/god's_righteousness.htm">God's Righteousness</a> God's judgments are always right and just. Our acknowledgment of sin should lead us to affirm God's righteousness and justice. <a href="/topical/p/personal_responsibility.htm">Personal Responsibility</a> David's confession is personal and direct. We must take personal responsibility for our actions without shifting blame. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a> Genuine repentance opens the door for restoration. David's plea for mercy is a model for seeking God's forgiveness and restoration. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_confrontation.htm">The Role of Confrontation</a> Nathan's role in confronting David shows the importance of accountability in the Christian community. We should be open to correction and willing to correct others in love.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_51.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 51</a> <a href="/q/what_is_confessing_sin_to_someone.htm">What does confessing sin against someone mean?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_eternal_punishment_just_for_sins.htm">How can eternal punishment be just for finite sins?</a> <a href="/q/is_confessing_to_a_priest_biblical.htm">Is confessing sins to a priest biblically supported?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_advice_on_shame_and_regret.htm">What does the Bible say about handling shame and regret?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/51.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) Against thee, thee only . . .--This can refer to nothing but a breach of the covenant-relation by the nation at large. An individual would have felt his guilt against the nation or other individuals, as well as against Jehovah. The fact that St. Paul quotes (from the LXX.) part of the verse in <a href="/romans/3-4.htm" title="God forbid: yes, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That you might be justified in your sayings, and might overcome when you are judged.">Romans 3:4</a> (see Note, New Testament Commentary) has naturally opened up an avenue for discussion on the bearing of the words on the doctrines of free-will and predestination. But the immediate object of his quotation appears to be to contrast the faithfulness of the God of the covenant with the falsehood of the covenant people ("Let God be true, and every man a liar"). The honour of God, as God of the covenant, was at stake. It is this thought which appears in the last clauses of this verse.That . . .--So that (or, in order that) thou art (or mayest be) justified in thy cause, and clear in thy judgment. The Hebrew, rendered in the Authorised Version when thou speakest, is often used of a cause or suit (see (<a href="/context/exodus/18-16.htm" title="When they have a matter, they come to me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.">Exodus 18:16-22</a>, "matter," &c), and it is here plainly used in this sense and is parallel to judgment. The clause seems to imply not only a sense of a breach of the covenant, but some manifest judgment from Jehovah in consequence; and, as usual, it is of its effect on the heathen that the psalmist thinks. The Divine honour would be justified when the suffering nation confessed that condemnation and punishment had been deserved. This was apparently the meaning read in the words by the LXX.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/51.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - Against thee, thee only, have I sinned. Though no sins could be more directly against man than adultery and murder, yet David feels that that aspect of them shrinks away into insignificance, and is as if it were not, when they are viewed in their true and real character, as offences against the majesty of God. Every sin is mainly against God; and the better sort of men always feel this. "How can I do this great wickedness," says Joseph, when tempted by Potiphar's wife, "and sin against God?" And so David to Nathan, when he was first rebuked by him, "I have sinned against the Lord" (<a href="/2_samuel/12-13.htm">2 Samuel 12:13</a>). And done this evil in thy sight; that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Clear in the eyes of the world, that is; free from all charge of harshness or injustice, when thou judgest me, and condemnest me for my sins, as thou must do. <a href="/commentaries/psalms/51-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Against You, לְךָ֤ (lə·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> You only, לְבַדְּךָ֨ ׀ (lə·ḇad·də·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_905.htm">Strong's 905: </a> Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of have I sinned חָטָאתִי֮ (ḥā·ṭā·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2398.htm">Strong's 2398: </a> To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn and done עָ֫שִׂ֥יתִי (‘ā·śî·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make what is evil וְהָרַ֥ע (wə·hā·ra‘) Conjunctive waw, Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> Bad, evil in Your sight, בְּעֵינֶ֗יךָ (bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> An eye, a fountain so that לְ֭מַעַן (lə·ma·‘an) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4616.htm">Strong's 4616: </a> Purpose -- intent You may be found just תִּצְדַּ֥ק (tiṣ·daq) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6663.htm">Strong's 6663: </a> To be just or righteous when You speak בְּדָבְרֶ֗ךָ (bə·ḏā·ḇə·re·ḵā) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue and blameless תִּזְכֶּ֥ה (tiz·keh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2135.htm">Strong's 2135: </a> To be translucent, to be innocent when You judge. בְשָׁפְטֶֽךָ׃ (ḇə·šā·p̄ə·ṭe·ḵā) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/psalms/51-4.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 51:4 Against you and you only have (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/51-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 51:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 51:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/51-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 51:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 51:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>