Augustine of Hippo

"For mine iniquities have lifted up my head; and are like a heavy burden too heavy for me to bear" (ver. 4). Here too he has placed the cause first, and the effect afterwards. What consequence followed, and from what cause, he has told us. "Mine iniquities have lift up mine head." For no one is proud but the unrighteous man, whose head is lifted up. He is "lifted up," whose "head is lifted up on high" against God. …

Exposition on Psalm 38 ↗

Ambrose of Milan

And the Holy One groaned, saying: For my iniquities have overwhelmed my head: as a heavy burden they have been laid upon me; that is, my iniquities have surpassed my head, and they tower above me, crushing my senses; for the eyes of the wise are in their head. And therefore Nabal was a wicked and stubborn man; because his senses were obstructed by malice and wickedness. Therefore he could not accept the word of Abigail; but his heart hardened, and he lay like one infirm. …

Commentaries on the Twelve Davidic Psalms ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Three things aggravate sins: namely, the multitude of sins, their gravity, and their repetition, because if one sins frequently, it is grave. He says therefore regarding the first, "For my iniquities have passed over my head." This is a mode of speech. By "iniquities" is signified the multitude of sins, because just as water overwhelms a man, so sins submerge a man. And water does not do this unless it rises so much that it exceeds the head. As if to say: they have multiplied to such a degree that they have risen above my head. Ps. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗