| 17. Linguistic Exegesis The opening construct chain mesilat {מְסִלַּת | mə-sil-lat} ‘highway’ + yesharim {יְשָׁרִים | ye-šā-rîm} ‘upright’ establishes a genitive relationship defining the figurative journey. The infinitive construct sur {סוּר | sûr} ‘to depart’ governs mera {מֵרָע | mê-rāʿ} ‘from evil,’ functioning as a verbal noun clause. The parallel Qal participles shomer {שֹׁמֵר | šō-mer} ‘guarding’ + nafsho {נַפְשׁוֹ | nap-šô} ‘soul’ and notzer {נֹצֵר | nō-zēr} ‘preserving’ + darko {דַרְכּוֹ | dar-kô} ‘way’ form balanced clauses that emphasize moral vigilance, highlighting how proactive watchfulness leads to personal stability. |