“For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12 KJV)
When we got saved our status also changed in the spirit. Whereas we were once called sinners, unbelievers and aliens to the covenant, however, by the blood of Jesus we became fellow partakers of the righteousness of God. As such we became righteous upon salvation at a positional level. There is the act of righteousness. The position of righteousness is the one that Jesus died to give as a gift, so we could be qualified to partake of any blessing that has a condition of righteousness attached to it, like our text points out to us.
One comes by believing, while the other comes by deeds. Believing is faith, deeds are conscious practice of right things. The only problem here is that we can never be righteous enough for the blessings of God. There will always be one fault or the other that could disqualify us. That was why God introduced the righteousness that comes by faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross. This is the righteousness that qualifies you for favour and all other blessings of the Lord.
It is called covenant, in other words. When you accept the gift of life through the death of Jesus on the cross, you would have accepted His righteousness and the package that comes with it. When God saved Israel from Egypt He also gave them favour before the Egyptians round about. Even so it is today. Now that you are saved, you have been surrounded with favour as with a shield. Favour is now your protection. When troubles rise, favour will speak for you from today in Jesus Name. It is your covenant right, receive it and walk in it in Jesus Name.