Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 119:109

"My soul is continually in my hand; Yet do I not forget thy law." — Psalms 119:109 (ASV)

My soul is continually in my hand — The Septuagint renders this, "My soul is always in thy hands," but the Hebrew will not support this construction. The idea in the original is that his soul—his life—was always in jeopardy.

The expression seems to be proverbial. Anything taken in the hand is liable to be rudely snatched away. Thus, a casket of jewels or a purse of gold in the hand may at any moment be seized by robbers.

See the notes at Job 13:14. Compare 1 Samuel 19:5; Judges 12:3. The meaning here is that his life was constantly in danger.

Yet do I not forget thy law — Notwithstanding the danger to which I am exposed, and the care necessary to defend my life, I do not allow my mind to be turned from meditating on your law, nor do I suffer any danger to deter me from obeying it. Compare the notes at Psalm 119:61.