A path in its essence is a promise.  Someone from long ago is communicating with the traveller, making a commitment to show the way to a destination.

Walking on a path is therefore in essence an act of trust, of faith in someone unseen and unknown.  We stay on the path rather than cut through the woods or across the field, not because it’s an easier journey – it may be or not – but because we trust its promise.  Our obedience to the path is not coerced; it is in cooperation with our faith.

The path of the just is a path of trusting obedience.