Psalms 51:4 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →All sin is ultimately against God; God is right to judge.
The Context of Psalms 51:4
This verse establishes that sin is fundamentally a violation of relationship with God and that God's judgment is righteous.
What Does Psalms 51:4 Mean?
The psalmist states that sin, though it may harm others, is fundamentally transgression against God alone. This does not deny horizontal harm but locates the deepest offense in violation of the divine relationship. The repeated 'thee' emphasizes that no other party is the ultimate wronged party; God occupies that position exclusively.
A startling claim follows: the psalmist's sin is the occasion for God's righteous judgment to be vindicated. Rather than asking God to overlook sin, the psalm asserts that God is 'justified' and 'clear' in pronouncing judgment—and the psalmist's acknowledgment of this is the foundation for mercy. Justice and mercy are not opposed but held in paradoxical unity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 51:4
What does Psalms 51:4 mean?
All sin is ultimately against God; God is right to judge.
What is the context of Psalms 51:4?
This verse establishes that sin is fundamentally a violation of relationship with God and that God's judgment is righteous.