Seder 5: Psalm 1---Comparing Two Ways of Living

Psalm 1 is an example of a "wisdom psalm."  It describes two ways of living and their consequences.  The psalm concludes,

"for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." 

This was an important Psalm for both Jews and Christians living during the time of the Roman Empire.  Jews and Christians stood out, in particular, because they rejected the Empire's rampant sexual immorality, idolatry, and lack of respect for the value of human life.

For these Jews and Christians, staying away from the "seat of scoffers" meant not attending Roman popular entertainment, like the gladiator games, where crowds delighted in seeing the slaughter of humans and animals. I have some discussion of the Roman games and Christian opposition to them here.