Hebrew Form Guide

תִּצְדַּ֥ק (tiṣ·daq) in Psalms 51:4: Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular

תִּצְדַּ֥ק (tiṣ·daq) in Psalms 51:4

Source Word

תִּצְדַּ֥קtiṣ·daqVerb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular

At Psalms 51:4, the Psalms 51:4 source token תִּצְדַּ֥ק is H6663, V-Qal-Imperf-2ms. The H6663 Psalms 51:4 BSB+ word table row therefore anchors this guide.

How The Form Affects Interpretation

May be proved right communicates vindication in the clause without implying that righteousness is newly granted to God. David's confession yields every defense and acknowledges that God's words and judgment are righteous in exposing his sin.

How To Communicate It

Keep the second-person verb addressed to God and distinguish being shown right from becoming right because a person sinned.

What Not To Say

  • Grammatical form should serve context, not override it.
  • Do not claim that sin improves God's character, and do not use the clause to excuse evil on the ground that truth becomes more visible.
  • The connecting clause can be heard in purpose or result terms, but neither reading makes the sin morally necessary or good.
  • Read You may be proved right within Psalms 51:4 as the H6663 occurrence; broader theology requires the passage.

What Does The Label Mean?

Profile

Hebrew-verb

Part of Speech

Verb

Form Label

Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular

Stem

Qal

Aspect

Imperf

Person

Second

Gender

Masculine

Number

Singular

State

Not applicable

Suffix

None

Aspect Note

The imperfect leaves the vindication open within the consequence or purpose of truthful judgment rather than reporting that God once became righteous.

Verse Role

The Qal verb addresses God directly, while imperfect form participates in the so that clause following the confession.

What The Form Does In This Verse

Attached To

God as the second masculine singular subject in relation to what He speaks

Governed By

The psalmist's confession that his sin is against God and evil in God's sight

Role In The Phrase

The second masculine singular Qal imperfect presents God's righteousness as displayed or acknowledged when He speaks.

What It Is Not Doing

The form does not suggest that David's sin makes God righteous, and the purpose-result clause does not turn wrongdoing into a means that should be chosen.

How Much The Form Matters Here

Interpretive Weight

High: David's confession yields every defense and acknowledges that God's words and judgment are righteous in exposing his sin.

Syntax Profile

The Qal verb addresses God directly, while imperfect form participates in the so that clause following the confession.. The second masculine singular Qal imperfect presents God's righteousness as displayed or acknowledged when He speaks.. Attached to God as the second masculine singular subject in relation to what He speaks. Governed by the psalmist's confession that his sin is against God and evil in God's sight. The form does not suggest that David's sin makes God righteous, and the purpose-result clause does not turn wrongdoing into a means that should be chosen.

Reader Question

Does You may be proved right mean David's sin makes God righteous? No. The confession acknowledges and displays the rightness God already has when He speaks and judges.

Translation Effect

Direct: May be proved right communicates vindication in the clause without implying that righteousness is newly granted to God.

Where Caution Is Needed

The connecting clause can be heard in purpose or result terms, but neither reading makes the sin morally necessary or good. The verb can mean be righteous or be vindicated; the speaking and judging context favors righteousness being shown.

Fallacies To Avoid

Human sin creates divine righteousness: The confession recognizes God's existing justice; wrongdoing contributes no moral quality to Him. good result justifies evil: God's vindication does not excuse the sin David explicitly names as evil. morphology replaces literary context: The H6663 form clarifies the You may be proved right relation in Psalms 51:4; the surrounding passage establishes its scope.

How The Interpretation Is Derived

Textual Witness

At Psalms 51:4, the Psalms 51:4 source token תִּצְדַּ֥ק is H6663, V-Qal-Imperf-2ms. The H6663 Psalms 51:4 BSB+ word table row therefore anchors this guide.

Lexical Identity

צָדַק is the lemma behind You may be proved right here. Within Psalms 51:4, H6663 retains this exact lexical identity.

Grammar In Context

The Qal verb addresses God directly, while imperfect form participates in the so that clause following the confession.

Passage Meaning

David's confession yields every defense and acknowledges that God's words and judgment are righteous in exposing his sin.

Canonical Fit

Repentance vindicates God's verdict instead of manipulating evil for a good result; divine righteousness stands prior to the sinner's acknowledgment.

Communication Use

Keep the second-person verb addressed to God and distinguish being shown right from becoming right because a person sinned.

Do Not Derive

Do not claim that sin improves God's character, and do not use the clause to excuse evil on the ground that truth becomes more visible.