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I. THE CENSURE OR ACCUSATION WHICH HE PASSES UPON HIMSELF.

1. The simple acknowledgment or confession. "Against Thee, Thee only have I sinned."(1) His sin in the direct notion of it. The sins which are committed against our brethren and neighbours are committed against God Himself —

(a)  As Lawgiver.

(b)  As Creator.

(c)  As Redeemer.

(2) The reduplication. "Thee, Thee only." "Only" is here to be taken for chiefly; and that not only in regard of the sin itself, but likewise in regard of his affection and apprehension about it. This is that which should principally affect us in all our miscarriages, that they are trespasses upon God Himself.

(a)  Thee, an only God; a God of pure eyes, and that cannot endure to behold iniquity.

(b)  Thee, a just God, who wilt punish sin wheresoever Thou findest it.

(c)  Thee, an Almighty God, a God of power and strength.

2. The additional ingemination of it. "And done this evil in Thy sight."(1) He acknowledges that his sin was not unknown to God, who saw and discerned all the windings and turnings of it.

(a)  The thought and intention.

(b)  The execution of it.

(c)  All the excuses and pretences made for it.This may serve to awaken and affright men in this respect; and especially as to secret miscarriages. There are abundance of people in the world who carry it fairly as to outward appearance, who yet have their private excursions into ways of wickedness, and their secret haunts of sin; and these please themselves oftentimes in the thought of their concealment from the world. Yea, but there is an all-seeing eye that beholds them in their greatest retiredness, an eye that neither slumbers nor sleeps.

(2) The enlargement and aggravation.

(a)  His non-attendaney. He did not consider that God beheld him.

(b)  He did not regard the presence of God.For a thief to steal in the very sight of the judge is the highest piece of impudence that may be; and thus it is for any man to offend in the sight of God and not to be moved with it. Therefore, let us look to this, and consider what influence it has had upon us; the observing eye of God, and what it has not; what a shame is it for any to tremble at the presence of frail man, yea, it may be some little child, and beholding them in the commission of sin, and not regard the presence of the holy and pure God.

II. THE ACQUITTING OF GOD.

1. A gracious heart gives testimony to the Word of God; it acknowledges the truth of God in that which comes from Him (John 3:33). This may be drawn forth according to all the words which are spoken by God. In His word of threatening, it justifies Him here by fearing and trembling at His word; as good Josiah, when he rent his clothes, and his heart was melted, etc. In his word of reproof, it justifies him here by acknowledging of the fall; "Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken," says Hezekiah, when he was told of his sin. In His word of promise, it justifies Him here by believing it, and expecting its accomplishment, as (Psalm 119:49). In His word of command, it justifies Him hero by yielding obedience to it, and putting it into practice.

2. A submitting to the judgment of God. This is another temper and disposition of a gracious soul to clear God in His judiciary proceedings (Psalm 119:75; Jeremiah 12:1; Micah 7:9; Romans 3:2, 19). And this is another thing which we should therefore in a sweet manner bring ourselves to; to submit with meekness and patience to God's correction, acknowledging the justice of them, and that our punishment is still less than our iniquities have deserved.

(Thomas Horton, D. D.)

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KJV: 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.

WEB: 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.