There are eight different ways in which we are being examined, and for examining ourselves: thoughts, words, deeds, evil done, good left undone, ignorance, weakness, and with deliberation and forethought. Comprehensiveness, that is what Ezra is doing here. He is looking at it from every which way that these sins have been committed. How it is a sin against God; how it is a sin against grace; how it is a sin against the warnings and the threats of God, and so forth. This is not just saying: forgive me for all my sins. In Psalm 51:1–19 you see David, in searching his heart, examining the ways in which he has offended God, as he seeks forgiveness.1
Terry L. Johnson
6 saying:“O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens.