Psalms 119:109

119:109 My life is in continual danger, ¹ 

but I do not forget your law.

Psalms 119:176

119:176 I have wandered off like a lost sheep. ² 

Come looking for your servant,

for I do not forget your commands.

Proverbs 3:1

Exhortations to Seek Wisdom and Walk with the Lord ³ 

3:1 My child, ⁴  do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep ⁵  my commandments,

¹ tn Heb “my life [is] in my hands continually.”

² tn Heb “I stray like a lost sheep.” It is possible that the point of the metaphor is vulnerability: The psalmist, who is threatened by his enemies, feels as vulnerable as a straying, lost sheep. This would not suggest, however, that he has wandered from God’s path (see the second half of the verse, as well as v. 110).

³ sn The chapter begins with an introductory exhortation (1-4), followed by an admonition to be faithful to the Lord (5-12). Wisdom is commended as the most valuable possession (13-18), essential to creation (19-20), and the way to a long and safe life (21-26). There then follows a warning to avoid unneighborliness (27-30) and emulating the wicked (31-35).

⁴ tn Heb “my son” (likewise in vv. 11, 21).

⁵ tn The verb יִצֹּר (yitsor) is a Qal jussive and the noun לִבֶּךָ (libbekha, “your heart”) functions as the subject: “let your heart keep my commandments.”