The highway of the upright [is] to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
Ver 17. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil.] That is his road, his desire and endeavour, his general purpose, though sometimes (by mistake, or violence of temptation), he step out of the way, and turn aside to sin, yet there is no "way of wickedness" Psa 139:24 in him. His endeavour is, with Paul, to walk in all good conscience, to shape his course by the chart of God's Word, to shun sin as a serpent in his way, as poison in his meats.
He that keepeth his way, preserveth his soul.] As, if a man be out of God's precincts, he is out of his protection. "He shall keep thee in all thy ways," Psa 91:11 not in all thine out strays. He that leaves the highway, and takes to byways, travelling at unseasonable hours, &c., if he fall into foul hands, he may go look his remedy; the law allows him none.