Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Psalm 51:4. It’s a really powerful and important part of the Bible about taking responsibility for our actions. Here's a simplified explanation: What it means in plain language: "Against 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." Let’s unpack each part: “Against thee, only have I sinned…” – This means we've committed a sin against God. It’s a direct challenge to His will and authority. It’s about breaking His rules or being wrong in a significant way. “…and done this evil in thy sight:” - "This evil" refers to something we’ve done that is noticeable, something that has caused trouble or harm. “In thy sight” means it's being seen by God – He’s observing our actions and judging them. “That thou mightest be justified when thou speakest…” - This is the key part. It’s about facing judgment and having a chance to be right. It means that even though we've messed up, God wants us to have an opportunity to show what’s true and to be honest with Him. “and be clear when thou judgest.” - This is about understanding our own mistakes and being honest with ourselves. It's saying that we need to be able to look at our actions and understand why they are wrong, so we can learn from them and make better choices in the future. Overall Meaning & Significance: The verse essentially says: “I have sinned against you, and I’ve done something wrong. It's important for me to be honest with you, not just about what I did, but also about why I did it. I need to be able to understand my own mistakes so that I can do better.” Why is this important? This verse speaks to the importance of repentance – acknowledging our wrongdoings and turning away from them. It’s a plea for God's forgiveness and a chance for us to become more righteous (good) people. It shows humility and a willingness to take responsibility for our actions. In short, it's a call for honesty, remorse, and a desire to be reconciled with God. --- Would you like me to: Explain this verse in a different way? Give you a more detailed example of what "sin" could look like?