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The ordering of our hearts and lives according to the right line or rule which is God's Word; a course, not an act.

II. WHAT IS IT TO BE LED IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS? And they are called righteous paths —

1. Because the righteous God prescribes them.

2. Because the righteous person only walks in them.

3. Because they are the ways which are the right and only ways to lead us to our journey's end.

III. BUT WHY DOTH THE LORD PROPOUND RIGHTEOUS PATHS TO HIS SERVANTS, AND CAUSE THEM TO WALK IN THEM?

1. Because they are paths and ways suitable to His own nature. Every leader hath ways suitable to his own nature: the devil leads in ways like himself, sinful, unclean, etc. And God leads in ways suitable to Him; He is an holy God, and therefore leads in holy ways; a righteous God, and therefore leads His people in righteous paths.

2. Righteous paths are the best paths. God is the best God, His people are the best people, and righteous paths are the best paths. Best in many respects —

(1) No paths so holy and clean.

(2) Nor so safe. The way of the wielded seduceth them (Proverbs 12:26). Nothing exposeth us to more hazard than a sinful way; false ways are always unsure, many snares and dangers.

(3) Nor so pleasant. On a good way, a man hath the company of a good God, and the peace of good conscience.

(4) Nor so honourable. Wicked ways are ever most shameful.

IV. RIGHTEOUS WAYS ARE THE RIGHT WAY TO HEAVEN. God will lead His people in such ways wherein —

1. He may receive glory from them.

2. They may receive glory from Him. Their graces would never be exercised, nor sins subdued, were not the paths righteous, etc. For what is the exercise of grace, but a motion in a righteous path, graces breaking out, working, walking, if grace were only bestowed for our conversion, and not for our conversation?Consider —

1. There are divers paths and ways that men may walk in besides the paths of righteousness.

2. Though every man hath a path to walk in, yet naturally the way of righteousness we do not know.

3. Of all paths to walk in, our hearts are most averse to these.

4. What avails it though paths of righteousness be propounded unto you, and that you do know them, if all this while you are not led in those paths of righteousness? The properties of righteous paths are these —

(1)  They are supernatural.

(2)  They are difficult. It is more difficult to creep in a righteous path than to run in a wicked way.

(3)  They are holy.

(4)  They are straight, and not winding and crooked. One is a rectitude of conformity. Another is a rectitude of tendency.

(5)  They are solitary.The qualifications of those persons who do or can walk in paths of righteousness. As affection is a property of these righteous walkers, so likewise is subjection. Circumspection is another property. Perfection. What a man must do, so that he may come to walk in paths of righteousness? He must get such a light of understanding which must clear his mind of

(1)  extreme vanity, and

(2)  of unjust prejudices.There must be resolution and courage.

1. Walk in these paths diligently.

2. Uniformly. Haltings and excursions, tripping in the way, or starting out of the way, are both opposite to a righteous walking.

3. Answerably. Not only to his profession, that his conversation be copied out of it, but also to his means and long standing.

4. Progressively.

5. Undauntedly.

(O. Sedgwick, B. D.)

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KJV: He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

WEB: He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.