Psalms 38:4

KJV

For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

KJV (with Strong's)

For mine iniquities {H5771} are gone over {H5674} mine head {H7218}: as an heavy {H3515} burden {H4853} they are too heavy {H3513}{H8799)} for me.

Complete Jewish Bible

for my iniquities loom high over my head as a heavy burden, too heavy for me.

Berean Standard Bible

For my iniquities have overwhelmed me; they are a burden too heavy to bear.

American Standard Version

For mine iniquities are gone over my head: As a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 38:4 powerfully articulates the psalmist's profound spiritual and emotional distress, vividly portraying his iniquities as an inescapable deluge that has completely submerged him and an unbearable weight that crushes him. This verse serves as a raw confession of overwhelming guilt and a poignant cry of human helplessness in the face of sin's magnitude, setting the crucial theological stage for a desperate plea for divine mercy and redemptive intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 38 is a deeply personal and poignant lament attributed to David, traditionally categorized as one of the seven penitential psalms. Situated within Book 1 of the Psalter, it follows Psalm 37, which contrasts the ultimate destinies of the righteous and the wicked, and precedes Psalms 39 and 40, which continue to explore themes of human frailty, the brevity of life, and reliance on God. In Psalm 38, David pours out his heart, detailing not only the physical affliction he endures, which he attributes directly to his sin ([Psalms 38:3](/psalms/38-3 "Psalm 38:3 - No Soundness in My Bones")), but also the profound spiritual and emotional torment caused by his wrongdoing. He explicitly links his suffering to his iniquities ([Psalms 38:5](/psalms/38-5 "Psalm 38:5 - My Wounds Stink and Fester Because of My Folly")) and laments the abandonment of friends and family ([Psalms 38:11](/psalms/38-11 "Psalm 38:11 - My Friends and Companions Stand Aloof")). Verse 4 specifically delves into the internal experience of guilt and the crushing realization of his transgressions, providing the foundational reason for his desperate cry for divine intervention and mercy that permeates the remainder of the psalm.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the superscription attributes this psalm to David, labeling it a "memorial" or "to bring to remembrance," it does not specify a particular historical event. Nevertheless, David's life, marked by both profound faith and significant moral failures (e.g., the affair with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah detailed in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David and Bathsheba")), provides a fitting backdrop for such a penitential psalm. In the ancient Near East, there was often a strong cultural and theological association between sin and suffering, where physical ailments or misfortunes were frequently perceived as direct consequences or divine judgments for wrongdoing. The imagery of being "over one's head" or bearing a "heavy burden" was a common metaphorical expression for overwhelming distress, insurmountable debt, or crushing responsibility. The concept of sin as a tangible, oppressive force was deeply ingrained, underscoring the urgent need for ritual purification or divine intervention to alleviate its debilitating weight.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 38:4 powerfully contributes to several major theological and narrative themes found throughout the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **The Overwhelming Nature of Sin**, vividly conveying a sense of being submerged, drowned, or completely consumed by the magnitude of wrongdoing, suggesting an inescapable flood that engulfs the individual. This imagery aligns with the biblical understanding of sin's pervasive and destructive power. Secondly, it emphasizes **Sin as an Intolerable Burden**, describing iniquities as a "heavy burden" that is "too heavy for me," underscoring the crushing weight and oppressive nature of guilt and its consequences. This burden is not merely difficult but utterly impossible for the psalmist to bear on his own strength, aligning with the universal truth that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" as stated in [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned"). Finally, the verse underscores **Human Inability and Dependence**, serving as a profound confession that one cannot overcome or escape the consequences of sin by personal effort or strength. This realization is crucial for turning to the one who can provide relief, foreshadowing the New Testament call to cast all burdens upon the Lord, as encouraged in [1 Peter 5:7](/1_peter/5-7 "1 Peter 5:7 - Cast All Your Anxiety on Him").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **iniquities (Hebrew, _‘âvôn'_):** From H5771, this term refers to perversity, moral evil, fault, or sin. It also encompasses the punishment or consequence of such iniquity. The plural form in the verse, "iniquities," intensifies the sense of a multitude of wrongdoings, emphasizing the cumulative effect and overwhelming nature of the psalmist's transgressions. It signifies not merely isolated acts but a deep-seated crookedness or distortion of moral character, leading to profound guilt and culpability.
* **gone over (Hebrew, _‘âbar'_):** From H5674, this primitive root means "to cross over" or "to pass over." Used very widely, it denotes any transition, whether literal or figurative. In this context, combined with "head," it paints a vivid metaphor of a flood or deluge, where the waters of sin have risen so high as to completely submerge the psalmist. This imagery conveys a sense of being inundated, overwhelmed, and drowned by the consequences and guilt of his actions, implying an inescapable and all-encompassing distress.
* **heavy (Hebrew, _kâbêd'_):** From H3515, this adjective means "heavy," "weighty," or "grievous." Figuratively, it can denote something severe, difficult, or even stupid. Here, it describes the oppressive nature of the "burden," emphasizing its crushing weight. It indicates that the load is not merely difficult but profoundly oppressive, leading to physical and emotional toll.
* **burden (Hebrew, _massâʼ'_):** From H4853, this noun refers to a "burden," "load," or "weight." It can also metaphorically refer to an utterance, especially a doom or prophecy. In Psalms 38:4, it signifies the oppressive weight of sin and its consequences. Combined with "heavy," it forms a powerful metaphor for an unbearable load, one that is beyond the psalmist's capacity to endure or alleviate by his own strength.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For mine iniquities are gone over mine head:"** This opening clause establishes the profound reason for the psalmist's distress. His sins are not merely present or acknowledged; they have become an active, overwhelming force, akin to a rising flood that has completely engulfed him. This powerful imagery conveys a sense of being submerged, unable to breathe or escape, highlighting the pervasive and consuming nature of his guilt and the dire consequences of his wrongdoing. It suggests that the problem is not external but internal and all-encompassing, utterly beyond his control.
* **"as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me."** This second clause reinforces and intensifies the first through a distinct, yet complementary, metaphor. The "heavy burden" speaks to the oppressive, crushing weight of his iniquities, which he feels both physically and spiritually. The declaration "they are too heavy for me" is a stark, honest admission of human limitation and utter helplessness. It signifies that the weight of his guilt, shame, and the consequences of his sin is beyond his capacity to endure or mitigate by his own strength, underscoring his desperate need for external, divine intervention and profound relief.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 38:4 is rich in **Metaphor**, employing two distinct but complementary images to convey the overwhelming nature of sin. Firstly, sin is depicted as a rising flood that has "gone over mine head," suggesting inundation and an inescapable, suffocating experience, as if the psalmist is drowning in his own transgressions. Secondly, sin is portrayed as a "heavy burden" that is "too heavy for me," evoking the physical sensation of being crushed and oppressed by an unbearable, debilitating weight. The phrase "too heavy for me" also functions as **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the weight to emphasize the psalmist's absolute inability to bear it on his own. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Parallelism**, where the two clauses ("For mine iniquities are gone over mine head" and "as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me") echo and intensify each other's meaning through different metaphors, creating a powerful cumulative effect that underscores the profound and comprehensive distress experienced by the psalmist due to his sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 38:4 articulates a universal human experience: the crushing weight of guilt and the profound sense of being overwhelmed by one's own failures and transgressions. Theologically, it underscores the gravity of sin, not merely as a minor misstep, but as a destructive, pervasive force that can engulf and incapacitate the human spirit. This verse highlights humanity's inherent inability to self-redeem or to bear the full, just consequences of its rebellion against God. It sets the stage for the biblical narrative of divine grace, where the recognition of an unbearable burden often precedes genuine confession and the desperate cry for a deliverer. This deep awareness of sin's oppressive reality is a necessary precursor to understanding the magnitude of God's mercy and the profound relief offered through His intervention.

* [Psalm 51:3](/psalms/51-3 "Psalm 51:3 - David's Confession of Sin")
* [Romans 7:24](/romans/7-24 "Romans 7:24 - Wretched Man That I Am!")
* [Isaiah 53:6](/isaiah/53-6 "Isaiah 53:6 - The Lord Has Laid on Him the Iniquity of Us All")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 38:4 provides a raw and honest portrayal of the human condition under the crushing weight of sin. It invites us to confront the uncomfortable reality that our iniquities are not trivial matters but can indeed become an overwhelming burden that we are utterly incapable of bearing on our own. This verse challenges us to move beyond superficial acknowledgments of wrongdoing to a deeper, more visceral understanding of sin's oppressive power and its pervasive effects. It is in this place of profound helplessness, where we authentically recognize that the burden is "too heavy for me," that we are truly prepared to seek the divine intervention that alone can provide lasting relief. This realization should lead us not to despair or self-condemnation, but to humble confession, genuine repentance, and a desperate turning to the One who promises to lift our burdens and offer true rest for our weary souls.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you personally experience the "weight" or "burden" of sin or guilt in your own life, and what does that feeling reveal about its nature?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of human weakness and our inherent inability to overcome sin by our own strength or willpower?**
* **Where do you typically turn when feeling overwhelmed by your own failures or shortcomings, and how might this verse encourage you to seek a different, divine source of relief and forgiveness?**

### FAQ
**Question?**

Answer: While Psalm 38 clearly links the psalmist's specific suffering to his iniquities, the broader biblical narrative presents a more nuanced view of suffering. The Bible teaches that sin generally introduced brokenness and suffering into the world (e.g., [Genesis 3:16-19](/genesis/3-16-19 "Genesis 3:16-19 - The Curse on Humanity")), and sometimes, specific sins do have direct, painful consequences (e.g., David's consequences for Bathsheba in [2 Samuel 12:10-12](/2_samuel/12-10-12 "2 Samuel 12:10-12 - Nathan's Prophecy of Consequences")). However, the Bible also explicitly refutes the idea that all suffering or illness is a direct, one-to-one punishment for specific personal sin, as profoundly seen in the book of [Job](/job/1 "Job - The Suffering of the Righteous") and Jesus' teaching regarding the man born blind in [John 9:1-3](/john/9-1-3 "John 9:1-3 - Blind Man Not Due to Sin"). In Psalm 38, the psalmist is acknowledging his own culpability and the direct link he perceives between his actions and his present distress, which is a vital aspect of genuine repentance and a recognition of God's righteous judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The psalmist's desperate cry in Psalms 38:4, expressing the unbearable weight of his iniquities, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament repeatedly foreshadows a coming deliverer who would bear the sins of many, as powerfully prophesied in [Isaiah 53:6](/isaiah/53-6 "Isaiah 53:6 - The Lord Has Laid on Him the Iniquity of Us All"): "The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." This prophetic burden-bearer is none other than Jesus, the Lamb of God, who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). On the cross, Christ became sin for us, though He knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). He bore the crushing burden that was "too heavy for me," experiencing the full weight of divine wrath against sin and its consequences, so that those who believe in Him might be freed from its overwhelming power and guilt. Jesus' compassionate invitation in [Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")—"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"—is the direct and divine answer to the psalmist's lament, offering true relief, profound forgiveness, and liberating rest from the unbearable burden of iniquity. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ not only lifts the weight of sin but also empowers believers to walk in newness of life, no longer enslaved to its dominion ([Romans 6:6-7](/romans/6-6-7 "Romans 6:6-7 - Our Old Self Crucified with Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 40:12

For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.

Ezra 9:6

And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over [our] head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.

Matthew 11:28

Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Lamentations 1:14

The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, [and] come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into [their] hands, [from whom] I am not able to rise up.

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Leviticus 7:18

And if [any] of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.

Isaiah 53:11

He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.