Psalms 38:4

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Psalms 38:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

For my crimes have gone over my head; they are like a great weight which is more than my strength.

Free Bible Version FBV

I'm drowning in guilt—the burden is too heavy to bear.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

For mine iniquities are gone ouer mine head, and as a weightie burden they are too heauie for me.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

For mine iniquities have passed over my head, As a heavy burden — too heavy for me.

World English Bible WEB

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

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

My heart grew hot within me: and in my meditation a fire shall flame out.

Translation for Translators T4T

All my sins are like a flood that covers my head; they are like a load that is very heavy, with the result that I cannot carry it.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 38:4

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Psalms 38:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB אֵין מְתֹ֣ם בִּ֭/בְשָׂרִ/י מִ/פְּנֵ֣י זַעְמֶ֑/ךָ אֵין שָׁל֥וֹם בַּ֝/עֲצָמַ֗/י מִ/פְּנֵ֥י חַטָּאתִֽ/י

אֵין ʼayin H369 nothing Part

מְתֹ֣ם mᵉthôm H4974 soundness N-ms

בִּ֭/בְשָׂרִ/י bâsâr H1320 flesh Prep | N-ms | Suff

מִ/פְּנֵ֣י pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp

זַעְמֶ֑/ךָ zaʻam H2195 indignation N-ms | Suff

אֵין ʼayin H369 nothing Part

שָׁל֥וֹם shâlôwm H7965 Peace N-ms

בַּ֝/עֲצָמַ֗/י ʻetsem H6106 bone Prep | N-fp | Suff

מִ/פְּנֵ֥י pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp

חַטָּאתִֽ/י chaṭṭâʼâh H2403 sin N-fs | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 38:4

אֵין ʼayin H369 "nothing" Part

This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.

Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of

Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.

מְתֹ֣ם mᵉthôm H4974 "soundness" N-ms

This word means 'soundness' or 'completeness', describing something that is whole or healthy, like in Proverbs when talking about a sound mind.

Definition: soundness, entirety, entire

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: men (by reading H4962 (מַת)), soundness. See also: Judges 20:48; Psalms 38:8; Psalms 38:4.

בִּ֭/בְשָׂרִ/י bâsâr H1320 "flesh" Prep | N-ms | Suff

The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.

Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)

Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.

מִ/פְּנֵ֣י pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.

זַעְמֶ֑/ךָ zaʻam H2195 "indignation" N-ms | Suff

This word refers to intense anger or fury, often used to describe God's displeasure with sin. In Deuteronomy 9:19, it is used to describe God's indignation towards the Israelites for worshiping a golden calf. It is a strong feeling of anger or rage.

Definition: anger, indignation

Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: angry, indignation, rage. See also: Psalms 38:4; Jeremiah 50:25; Psalms 69:25.

אֵין ʼayin H369 "nothing" Part

This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.

Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of

שָׁל֥וֹם shâlôwm H7965 "Peace" N-ms

This Hebrew word for peace, shalom, means completeness, wellness, and friendship, and is often used to describe God's relationship with humanity, as seen in the covenant with the Israelites. It encompasses physical and spiritual health, prosperity, and harmony.

Definition: This name means completeness, peace Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 209 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] do, familiar, [idiom] fare, favour, [phrase] friend, [idiom] great, (good) health, ([idiom] perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, ([idiom] all is, be) well, [idiom] wholly. See also: Genesis 15:15; Esther 2:11; Psalms 4:9.

בַּ֝/עֲצָמַ֗/י ʻetsem H6106 "bone" Prep | N-fp | Suff

In the original Hebrew, this word refers to a bone or the body, and can also mean the substance or essence of something. It is used in many parts of the Bible, including in the book of Genesis and Psalms, to describe the physical body.

Definition: : bone/limb 1) bone, essence, substance 1a) bone 1a1) body, limbs, members, external body 1b) bone (of animal) 1c) substance, self

Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: body, bone, [idiom] life, (self-) same, strength, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 2:23; Job 33:19; Psalms 6:3.

מִ/פְּנֵ֥י pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

חַטָּאתִֽ/י chaṭṭâʼâh H2403 "sin" N-fs | Suff

This word describes sin, guilt, or punishment for sin, and also the sacrifice or purification made to atone for it. It is used in the Bible to describe the consequences and solutions for sin. The KJV translates it as 'punishment' or 'sin'.

Definition: sin, sinful thing

Usage: Occurs in 270 OT verses. KJV: punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering). See also: Genesis 4:7; Numbers 12:11; Psalms 25:7.

Study Notes — Psalms 38:4

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Psalms 38:4 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 38:4
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 38:4
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 38:4
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 38:4
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 38:4
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 38:4
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 38:4
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 38:4
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 38:4
Sermons on Psalms 38:4

Context — Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger

2For Your arrows have pierced me deeply, and Your hand has pressed down on me. 3There is no soundness in my body because of Your anger; there is no rest in my bones because of my sin.

4For my iniquities have overwhelmed me; they are a burden too heavy to bear.

5My wounds are foul and festering because of my sinful folly. 6I am bent and brought low; all day long I go about mourning.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Psalms 40:12	For evils without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, so that I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed within me.
2	Ezra 9:6	and said: “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens.
3	Matthew 11:28	Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
4	Lamentations 1:14	My transgressions are bound into a yoke, knit together by His hand; they are draped over my neck, and the Lord has broken my strength. He has delivered me into the hands of those I cannot withstand.
5	1 Peter 2:24	He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”
6	Leviticus 7:18	If any of the meat from his peace offering is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted. It will not be credited to the one who presented it; it shall be an abomination, and the one who eats of it shall bear his iniquity.
7	Isaiah 53:11	After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities.

Psalms 38:4 Summary

[Psalms 38:4 means that when we sin, it can feel like a heavy weight is crushing us, and we can't bear it on our own. This is because our sins have consequences, and when we try to carry the weight of those sins, it can become too much to handle. But thankfully, we can cast our cares on God, as stated in Psalms 55:22, and find freedom from the burden of our iniquities through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19). By surrendering our sins to God, we can experience the joy of forgiveness and the peace that comes from knowing that our sins are forgiven (Psalms 32:1-2).]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for iniquities to overwhelm someone?

According to Psalms 38:4, when our iniquities overwhelm us, it means that the weight of our sins becomes too much to bear, similar to what David experienced in Psalms 32:4, where he felt the heavy hand of God because of his unconfessed sin.

Why does the Bible say that our iniquities are a burden too heavy to bear?

The Bible teaches that our sins have consequences, and when we try to carry the weight of those sins on our own, it can become crushing, as seen in Psalms 38:4, but thankfully, we can cast our cares on God, as stated in Psalms 55:22.

How can we be free from the burden of our iniquities?

According to the Bible, we can be free from the burden of our iniquities through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, as stated in Acts 3:19, where it says that repentance leads to times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.

What is the relationship between our sins and God's anger?

As seen in Psalms 38:3, God's anger can be a result of our sins, but thankfully, His anger is not forever, and He delights to show mercy, as stated in Micah 7:18-19, where it says that God will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I feel overwhelmed by the weight of my sins, and how can I surrender them to God?
How does the burden of my iniquities affect my relationships with others and with God, and what can I do to find relief?
In what ways can I apply the principle of casting my cares on God, as stated in Psalms 55:22, to my life today?
What are some practical steps I can take to repent and turn away from my sins, and to walk in the freedom that Christ offers?

Gill's Exposition on Psalms 38:4

For mine iniquities are gone over mine head,.... 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

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 38:4

For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head - like waves over a drowning man (Psalms 42:7; Psalms 124:4-5; cf. Psalms 40:12).

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 38:4

Mine iniquities; or, the punishment of mine iniquities, as this word is frequently used; which best agrees both with the foregoing and following verses, and with the metaphor here used; which in other places of Scripture is generally applied to afflictions, and not to sins. Gone over my head, like deep waters, wherewith I am overwhelmed and almost drowned, 69:2 124:4,5.

Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 38:4

Psalms 38:4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.Ver. 4. For mine iniquities are gone over my head] So that I am even overwhelmed by them, and almost drowned in perdition and destruction. Sicut aquae praevalentes in quibus erat absorptus (Kimchi). The gospel is post naufragium tabula; and assureth us that God hath cast all our sins into the bottom of the sea; and this keepeth the head of a sinking soul above-water. As an heavy burden] How light soever sin seemeth in the committing, it will lie full heavy, even as a talent of lead, Zechariah 5:7, or as a huge mountain, Hebrews 12:1, when once we come to a sight and sense of it, when God’ s wrath and man’ s sin shall face one another, as the former verse hath it, according to the original. A facie irae tuae. A facie peccati mei. A facie stultitiae meae. From the face of your wrath, from the face of my sin, from the face of my foolishness.

Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 38:4

(4) Are gone over mine head.—Like waves or a flood. (Comp. Psalms 18:15; Psalms 69:2; Psalms 69:15. Comp. “A sea of troubles.”—Hamlet, Acts 3, scene 1)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 38:4

Verse 4. Mine iniquities are gone over mine head] He represents himself as one sinking in deep waters, or as one oppressed by a burden to which his strength was unequal.

Cambridge Bible on Psalms 38:4

4. His sins are like a flood which overwhelms (Psalms 124:4-5); like a burden which crushes (Genesis 4:13; Isaiah 53:4; Job 7:20).

Barnes' Notes on Psalms 38:4

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.

Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 38:4

4. Iniquities are gone over mine head—The figure is that of sinking into deep waters. The complaint of the second part of this verse is an echo of Gen 4:13. See Ezra 9:6.

Sermons on Psalms 38:4

	Sermon	Description
	(Revelation) the Church at Sardis by Willie Mullan	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of remembering the glorious gospel that we have received and holding fast to it. He warns that there are many dedicated churc
	Sin Is Heavy by Tim Conway	This sermon emphasizes the weight of sin, highlighting how each sin adds to the burden and leads to a rotten foundation beneath us. It warns against neglecting God, hardness of hea
	On Prayer, Homily 4 by St. Theophan the Recluse	St. Theophan the Recluse emphasizes the importance of prayer and its connection to other virtues, comparing prayer to a perfume that requires a vessel of virtue to contain it. He h
	They Took Jesus, and Led Him Away by C.H. Spurgeon	C.H. Spurgeon reflects on the agony and suffering of Jesus as He is led away to be crucified, emphasizing the weight of our sins that He bears on the cross. He draws a parallel bet
	The Heaviest Burden in All the World! by Thomas Brooks	Thomas Brooks emphasizes that sin is the heaviest burden one can carry, as it overwhelms the soul and leads to deep sorrow and despair. He reflects on the anguish caused by sin, wh
	More on David Confessing the Lord as His God by Bob Hoekstra	Bob Hoekstra preaches on the importance of confessing the Lord as our God in every circumstance, just like David did in the Psalms. David turned to the Lord in times of personal si
	Commutation as Unto Sin and Righteousness by John Owen	John Owen preaches about the commutation between Christ and believers in sin and righteousness, emphasizing the imputation of sins to Christ and His righteousness to believers. Thi