Psalms 38:4

“For mine iniquities are gone over mine head, etc.] Like an inundation of waters, as the waves and billows of the sea; for the waters to come up to the neck or chin shows great danger; but when they go over the head the case is desperate, and a person is sinking and drowning; compare with this (<196901>Psalm 69:1,2); the simile may denote both the number and weight of sins, and also signifies the overwhelming distress the psalmist was in, under a view of them; as an heavy burden, they are too heavy for me; the guilt of sin upon the conscience, without a view of pardon, lies heavy indeed, and makes a man a burden to himself, as it did Job, (<180720>Job 7:20,21); yea, sin is not only grieving…”

“iniquities--afflictions in punishment of sin (Sa2 16:12; Psa 31:10; Psa 40:12). gone over mine head--as a flood.”

“For mine iniquities are gone over mine head - This is merely an enlargement of the idea suggested in the last verse - that his present sickness was to be traced to his sin, and that he was suffering the punishment for sin. The idea is here that his sins were very numerous and very aggravated. They had risen up around him, or had so accumulated that the mass rose, like waves of the sea, above his head. A somewhat similar idea - though the thought there refers rather to the number of sins than the degree of guilt - occurs in Psalms 40:12 : “Mine iniquities ... are more than the hairs of my head.” As an heavy burden ... - That is, they are so heavy that I cannot bear them, and my frame has sunk…”

“Iniquities - Or, the punishment of mine iniquities, as this word is frequently used. Are gone - Like deep waters wherewith I am overwhelmed. Psalms 38:5”

“38:4 The psalmist’s burden results from sin (see 40:12; 41:4; cp. Gen 4:13).”

“mine: Psa 40:12; Ezr 9:6 as an: Lev 7:18; Isa 53:11; Lam 1:14; Mat 11:28; Pe1 2:24 Psalms 38:5”