Blessings fall on the righteous.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

The first Psalm describes for us the benefits that come upon those who walk in accordance with the Lord’s commands. The Psalmist demonstrates the sharp contrast between the righteous and the wicked. The unrighteous lack wisdom because they ignore the Lord and all He has said. They ridicule and mock Him as well as those who put their trust in Him. The Lord commands the righteous to avoid associating with such people, imitating them, or seeking their counsel.

The righteous find the Lord to be the source of wisdom, a rock, a sure and steadfast anchor. Although they will suffer persecution, pain, and trials, their confidence and trust is in the Lord. When they suffer, they know they do not suffer alone for He is there with them in time of crisis. He never deserts those who trust Him even though He is silent. The Lord is a sure comfort who will uphold them and carry them through these bitter storms of life.

Not so the wicked for they put their confidence in themselves and in the wisdom of man. Unfortunately, these are shifting sands. The wicked may prosper in this life, but they are not prepared for its storms. They will be blown away by strife, fear, and adversity unless they turn to God. Those who scorn the Lord, who seek to do things their own way will lose the eternal joy that comes from knowing God. He rules the world despite what rulers, politicians, presidents, generals, kings and armies think. He determines the course of world events and history. What ultimately matters is following His way, seeking His counsel and serving Him alone. Nothing else counts for eternity.