Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
Thorns and snares (entanglements in sin, and consequent punishment) are in the way of the froward. He brings these on himself by his perversity, and cannot extricate himself from them. So Israel, Joshua 23:13; Judges 2:3. Sinners often encounter more bitter pains on account of hell than the godly on account of heaven: and as they lay snares for others (Psalms 38:12; Psalms 64:5), so Satan for them (1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:26).
He that doth keep his soul (he who hath a watchful regard to his eternal safety, 1 John 5:18 ) shall be far from them - from the "thorns and snares."