When the judge enters the courtroom, everyone stands until the judge sits down. That’s because the judge sits in judgment over the courtroom. The courtroom doesn’t sit in judgment over the judge.
We usually assume a sitting posture for the purpose of resting. But sitting can also be a formal statement, as when a king sits on the throne, or when a judge sits at the bar of judgment, or when Congressmen and women take their seats in the Congress.
In Psalm 1:1, God makes an interesting statement in this regard. He says, “Blessed is the man…who does not sit in the seat of the scornful.” Sitting in the seat of the scornful is something you and I don’t want to do if we want to be blessed by God.
The word “sit” means literally “to be seated,” yet by implication, it can also mean “to remain or stay, even to dwell.” The word is also used in an official sense, though. Strong’s Concordance says that this word properly means “to sit down – specifically as a judge; to take a seat in the place of judgment.” What God is saying is that when we sit with the scornful, we are taking an official position of criticism against the things of God. It is as though we are sitting in judgment over God Himself – scorning His truth and the things that belong to His kingdom.
During my college days in a Christian college, there were a group of students that mocked everything. After every chapel service they would make fun of the speaker; or, mock things that were done as part of the service. They would joke and say that their spiritual gift was “mocking.” Now, you might expect that on a secular campus – but not on a Christian college campus. Yet, it reminded me that a person can “sit in the seat of the scornful”, even while claiming to be a Christian. Those who do this, though, are in a precarious position because God does not bless those who make fun of Him. “Blessed is the man…who does not sit in the seat of the scornful.”
Now you know the real meaning of the word.
Hey. Always remember – God sits in judgment over us. We do not sit in judgment over Him.