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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The psalmist addresses the LORD, describing a moment of acute distress following a petition for mercy in verse 11 and preceding an urgent plea for rescue in verse 13.

The words — The phrase עַד־אֵין מִסְפָּר (ʿad-ʾên mispār) literally renders "until there is no number." The verb הִשִּׂיגוּנִי (hiśśîḡûnî) translates directly to "they have overtaken me."

The thread — The text states that iniquities overwhelm the speaker in Psalms 38:4 and that enemies outnumber the hairs of the head in Psalms 69:4. The declaration that the heart fails mirrors the physical weakness recorded in Psalms 73:26.

Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to confront the reality that personal guilt and external threats can exceed human capacity to manage. It demands a shift from self-reliance to direct dependence on divine action.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

כִּ֤יkifor אָפְפ֥וּ־'a.fe.Fu-they have surrounded עָלַ֨י׀'a.La/i<on>/ me רָע֡וֹתra.'ottroubles עַד־'ad-until אֵ֬ין'einthere not מִסְפָּ֗רmis.Par[was] number הִשִּׂיג֣וּנִיhi.si.Gu./nithey have overtaken/ me עֲ֭וֹנֹתַי'A.vo.no.ta/iiniquities/ my וְלֹא־ve./lo'-and/ not יָכֹ֣לְתִּיya.Kho.le.tiI am able לִרְא֑וֹתli/r.'otto/ see עָצְמ֥וּ'a.tze.Muthey are numerous מִשַּֽׂעֲר֥וֹתmi./sa.'a.Rotmore than/ [the] hairs of רֹ֝אשִׁ֗יro.Sh/ihead/ my וְלִבִּ֥יve./li.B/iand/ heart/ my עֲזָבָֽנִי׃'a.za.Va./niit has abandoned/ me

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Psalms 38:4 For my iniquities have overwhelmed me; they are a burden too heavy to bear.
Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalms 69:4 Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.
Psalms 19:12 Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
Psalms 116:3 The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow.
Isaiah 53:6 We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.
Luke 18:13 But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’
Psalms 22:11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,
Luke 21:26 Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.