Psalms 1:1 - “The Seat Of Scoffers”

The Psalmist has already warned us about the ungodly and sinners. Now he speaks of scoffers. A scoffer is the worst of the worst. Not only does he dishonor God and choose his own path instead of God’s, he openly mocks and ridicules those who follow God. The scorner is the enemy of all that is good.

The book of Proverbs says this about scoffers: they reject those who correct them (15:12), love mockery and hate knowledge (1:22) and resent instruction (13:1). They are bad news.

Sitting in the seat of the scoffer means more than just being with someone like that. The Hebrew word means to dwell or reside. It means that you build your house on mockery and scorn. The man or woman of God is diametrically opposed to that lifestyle.

God wants you to be at peace with others, to love and lift up, to encourage and comfort, to build up and live together in unity. What Proverbs says next about scoffers says it all.

Proverbs 22:10

“Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out, Even strife and dishonor will cease.”

Scoffing, mockery and scorn are destroyers. They are tools against the body of Christ and they are meant to harm, not help. How do you counteract the scoffer? Paul told Timothy to do this:

1 Timothy 6:11

“But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.”

Let’s make this our plan and build up one another instead of tearing each other down.