Psalm 119:109
 Psalm 119:109 
New International Version (©2011)
Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.

New Living Translation (©2007)
My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions.

English Standard Version (©2001)
I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
My life is constantly in danger, yet I do not forget Your instruction.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I do not forget your instruction.

NET Bible (©2006)
My life is in continual danger, but I do not forget your law.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
My soul is in your hands always and I have not forgotten your Law.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
I always take my life into my own hands, but I never forget your teachings.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget your law.

American King James Version
My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget your law.

American Standard Version
My soul is continually in my hand; Yet do I not forget thy law.

Douay-Rheims Bible
My soul is continually in my hands: and I have not forgotten thy law.

Darby Bible Translation
My life is continually in my hand; but I do not forget thy law.

English Revised Version
My soul is continually in my hand; yet do I not forget thy law.

Webster's Bible Translation
My soul is continually in my hand: yet I do not forget thy law.

World English Bible
My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won't forget your law.

Young's Literal Translation
My soul is in my hand continually, And Thy law I have not forgotten.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

119:105-112 The word of God directs us in our work and way, and a dark place indeed the world would be without it. The commandment is a lamp kept burning with the oil of the Spirit, as a light to direct us in the choice of our way, and the steps we take in that way. The keeping of God's commands here meant, was that of a sinner under a dispensation of mercy, of a believer having part in the covenant of grace. The psalmist is often afflicted; but with longing desires to become more holy, offers up daily prayers for quickening grace. We cannot offer any thing to God, that he will accept but what he is pleased to teach us to do. To have our soul or life continually in our hands, implies constant danger of life; yet he did not forget God's promises nor his precepts. Numberless are the snares laid by the wicked; and happy is that servant of God, whom they have not caused to err from his Master's precepts. Heavenly treasures are a heritage for ever; all the saints accept them as such, therefore they can be content with little of this world. We must look for comfort only in the way of duty, and that duty must be done. A good man, by the grace of God, brings his heart to his work, then it is done well.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 109. - My soul is continually in my hand; i.e. my life is in constant jeopardy (comp. Judges 12:3; 1 Samuel 19:5; 1 Samuel 28:21). Yet do I not forget thy Law (comp. vers. 16, 83, 93, etc.).


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

My soul is continually in my hand,.... In the utmost jeopardy, always exposed to danger, ever delivered unto death; killed all the day long, or liable to be so: this is the sense of the phrase; see Judges 12:3; for what is in a man's hands may easily fall, or be taken out of them: so the Targum,

"my soul is in danger upon the back of my hands continually;''

the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, read, "in thy hands"; but wrongly;

yet do I not forget thy law; it was written on his heart, and fixed in his mind; he had a true affection for it, and a hearty desire to keep it; and no danger could divert him from his duty; as Daniel, though he carried his life in his hand, yet continued to pray to his God as usual; nor could anything move the Apostle Paul from the doctrine of the Gospel, and preaching it.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

109, 110. In the midst of deadly perils (the phrase is drawn from the fact that what we carry in our hands may easily slip from them, Jud 12:3; 1Sa 28:21; Job 13:14; compare 1Sa 19:5), and exposed to crafty enemies, his safety and guidance is in the truth and promises of God.


Psalm 119:109 Parallel Commentaries

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Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Thy Word
108Accept, I beseech you, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me your judgments. 109My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget your law. 110The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from your precepts. …

Judges 12:3 When I saw that you wouldn't help, I took my life in my hands and crossed over to fight the Ammonites, and the LORD gave me the victory over them. Now why have you come up today to fight me?"
1 Samuel 19:5 He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The LORD won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?"
Job 13:14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?
Psalm 119:16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
Ecclesiastes 9:1 So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God's hands, but no one knows whether love or hate awaits them.