I have not departed from the commandment of his lips: said positively this means “I have done everything he has commanded me to do”; expressed negatively, “I have not neglected (failed) to keep his commands.” Commandment of his lips means the law God has spoken and which he requires people to obey. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has “I have always followed his laws and commandments.” Good News Translation shifts to “what God commands.”

I have treasured in my bosom the words of his mouth: this line in Hebrew is unclear. Revised Standard Version follows the Septuagint and Vulgate. See Revised Standard Version footnote. Good News Translation follows the Hebrew text without any change and does not call attention to the textual difficulty. I have treasured translates a verb meaning “I have kept, stored up, hidden away.” In my bosom follows the Septuagint. The Hebrew has a preposition and a possessed noun which Hebrew Old Testament Text Project interprets as “from the statute (law) concerning me” or “more than my portion.” The Hebrew Old Testament Text Project committee was divided, with half of the members accepting the Hebrew text with a “C” rating, and the other half favoring the Septuagint as representing the oldest and best text, also with a “C” rating. Translators should consult the full recommendation of Hebrew Old Testament Text Project. In brief they recommend two alternatives: (1) follow the Hebrew with two possible phrase divisions, as in Good News Translation, or (2) follow the Septuagint, as in Revised Standard Version, with the possibility of putting an alternative translation in a note. Bible en français courant, which follows the Septuagint, offers a good translation model: “I have kept in my heart everything he commanded me.” This model may also be rendered, for example, “I have guarded in my heart all he told me to do” or “I have been faithful to do all he has required of me.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, Wiliam. A Handbook on Job. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .