In the first two portions of this study on Happiness from Psalm 1, we took a look at How to be Happy and Evidences of Happiness. The last section of Psalm 1 shows the contrast of a life of ungodliness to one of godly happiness. This contrast is found in verses 4 - 6, “4The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
There are three specific characteristics of the ungodly person pointed out in these three verses.
1. The ungodly are unstable.
Those who are ungodly do not delight in God’s law. Sometimes they do not even think of it. They are certainly not led by it. The righteous are like fruitful trees. They have testimonies that remain pure, souls that remain strong, and words and works that will be effective in the furtherance of God’s kingdom. The ungodly are not so. Rather, they are as the chaff which the wind drives away. There is no substance to them nor use for them. Though they may be among the wheat for a while, God will purge them out. His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor. Not an unclean thing will He allow to remain among His happy, righteous people. The righteous will live for ever, but the ungodly have no hope of eternal life. (See Matthew 3:12 and Luke 3:17)
2. The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment
When the ungodly stand before God, they will be found guilty. There are no pleas that will save them. They will not stand in the judgment. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, but the ungodly are already suffering the wrath of God. They will surely be punished. (See Romans 8:1 and John 3:36)
3. They will not be counted among the righteous
One day the righteous will stand before God. The saints will rejoice to be counted among those in the general assembly and church of the firstborn. (See Hebrews 12:23) This assembly will be a perfect church, without spot and without sin. Those who know not God will have no part in this congregation. God will look upon His saints and say, “Well done.” But God will be angry at the wicked, and His judgment will surely fall upon them.
God takes care of the righteous, happy person and protects him, nourishes him, and makes his way prosperous. A happy, righteous person will experience the blessings of God for ever. But the ungodly have no hope of eternal life. God will judge them, and the way of ungodliness leads only to death.