Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
evils—inflicted by others.
iniquities—or penal afflictions, and sometimes calamities in the wide sense. This meaning of the word is very common (Psalms 31:11; Psalms 38:4; compare Genesis 4:13, Cain's punishment; Genesis 19:15, that of Sodom; I Samuel 28:10, of the witch of En-dor; also II Samuel 16:12; Job 19:29; Isaiah 5:18; Isaiah 53:11). This meaning of the word is also favored by the clause, "taken hold of me," which follows, which can be said appropriately of sufferings, but not of sins (compare Job 27:20; Psalms 69:24). Thus, the difficulties in referring this Psalm to Christ, arising from the usual reading of this verse, are removed. Of the terrible afflictions, or sufferings, alluded to and endured for us, compare Luke 22:39-44, and the narrative of the scenes of Calvary.
my heart faileth me— (Matthew 26:38), "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death."
cannot look up—literally, "I cannot see," not denoting the depression of conscious guilt, as Luke 18:13, but exhaustion from suffering, as dimness of eyes (compare Psalms 6:7; Psalms 13:3; Psalms 38:10). The whole context thus sustains the sense assigned to iniquities.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Psalms 40:12:
Psalms 31:10
Psalms 38:4
Psalms 49:5
Psalms 69:4
Psalms 69:27-28
Psalms 130:7-8
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