Exegesis of Psalm 51:4 — “Against You, You Only, Have I Sinned”

 

Psalm 51:4 reads:
“Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight; so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge.”

This verse stands at the heart of David’s confession, written after his sin with Bathsheba, his orchestration of Uriah’s death, and the resulting death of their child (2 Samuel 11–12). The shock for many readers comes with David’s claim to have sinned “against You, You only,” seemingly reducing or overlooking his crimes against Bathsheba, Uriah, and their family. To understand the theological and emotional weight of this confession, it is necessary to consider both its literary context and the deeper biblical concept of sin.

Why “Against You, You Only”?

• All Sin Is Ultimately Against God:
  While David certainly wronged Bathsheba (through sexual violence and abuse of royal power), Uriah (whose murder he plotted), Joab (whom he involved in the plot), and even his nation as king, the confession points to a reality rooted in biblical theology: Every sin is at its root a violation of God’s law and a rebellion against the Lawgiver Himself. Even when sins are committed against people, the underlying offense is against God, whose image all humans bear and whose commandments David broke (adultery, murder).

• Emphasis in Hebrew & Literary Structure:
  The phrase “against You” leads the Hebrew sentence, stressing the primacy of David’s offense against God. This literary move doesn’t deny the harm done to others but accentuates that all such harm is an ultimate affront to God’s holiness and moral order.

• God as the Absolute Judge:
  David’s appeal is not an attempt to minimize his human crimes. Rather, he acknowledges God as “justified” and “blameless” in his judgment, confessing that it is God above all who defines and judges evil, regardless of how effectively David might have concealed his actions from others.

The Profound Guilt in Light of His Actions

• Murder, Rape, and Abuse of Power:
  David’s actions were stark violations of both human dignity and divine law. He raped Bathsheba — a vulnerable subject abused by the king’s power. He orchestrated Uriah’s death as a calculated coverup for his sin. Their child died as a consequence. Thus, it is crucial to affirm that David did sin grievously against other humans.

• The Unique Weight of Sin Against God:
  By stating, “against You, You only, have I sinned,” David confronts the relational breach between himself and God, admitting that, at the heart of all harm done to people, lies the deeper offense of casting aside God’s will, dishonoring His character, and breaking the trust of the God who had shown him so much favor.

Theological Implications

• No True Repentance Without Recognition of Offense Against God:
  True confession requires not just an admission of harm done to others but an acknowledgment before God Himself, without excuses or deflection. Only by recognizing sin’s Godward direction can authentic repentance and restoration begin.

• Responsibility to Others is Not Denied:
  David’s words do not erase his responsibility to Bathsheba, Uriah, and their families, nor the lasting consequences of his actions. Rather, this confession positions every sin — private or public — within the context of a holy God who demands justice and who is never fooled or indifferent to evil.

Conclusion

When David says, “Against You, You only, have I sinned,” he confesses the vertical dimension of sin that transcends, but does not erase, its horizontal consequences. His greatest crime was against the holy character and covenant law of the God who had raised him to the throne and entrusted him with responsibility and blessing. This confession models for all believers that genuine repentance begins with owning the true character of sin as an affront to God, even when it devastates others.

This does not diminish the real suffering visited upon Bathsheba, Uriah, and the child. Furthermore, it does not absolve David of his social and ethical obligations. Instead, it exposes the heart of sin and the depth of David’s need for divine mercy, which is only possible when his guilt is laid bare before the God against whom all sin is ultimately committed.