Selah

Psalm 3 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. 2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. 3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.  5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. 7 Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

Thou O Lord, by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

While reading Habakkuk, who is probably my favorite minor prophet because he is a soul brother (he gets me; he gets how I feel), I got side tracked and chased a rabbit. The rabbit has a name: Selah.

Selah is found 74 times in the canon of the Old Testament in only two books: Psalms and Habakkuk. It is in Habakkuk three times, (Habakkuk 3:3,9,13) hence my chase began. What does this word mean? Why is it not translated into a word I understand? If it is in Scripture 74 times it must be important and I have skipped right across it far too often. So, down the rabbit hole I go………Want to follow me? Let’s follow the king’s advice: “Begin at the beginning,” the King said, very gravely, “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.”― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Since I am no Hebrew scholar, I must depend on others and listen to the Spirit for direction and understanding. I pray you will receive the same blessing I did. This study proves the LORD of Heaven and earth loves music and is much involved in all aspects of its construction: The lyrics, the tempo, and the rhythm and rhyme.

Most people in the know believe this is a musical notation to indicate the need to “pause and calmly think about that.” (Amplified Bible) Similar to an amen, or “so be it,” in our prayers. Others believe it is a connector of verses or chapters. Psalm 3, 24, and 46 end with Selah so this would connect Psalms 3 to 4, 24 to 25, and 46 to 47.

Some hold to the theory, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance included, Selah is a transliteration of the Hebrew s lah which means to praise, or s lal which means to lift up, exalt. A few have the understanding selah is a combination of all three: a pause, to praise, and to lift up (as in your voice, your hands). One Jewish scholar teaches this may be an acronym meaning to change voice or go back to the beginning, indicating a musical instruction. Another Jewish teacher teaches it means forever. Another is a Jewish music expert who wrote The Music of the Bible Revealed, believes this word is “part of the lyrics and stresses the importance of what was sung.”

Psalm 66:4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.

The psalms are songs of worship. Habakkuk is in prayer when he uses this sacred term. Music teaches profound spiritual lessons. Prayer is meant to remind the petitioner of the goodness of God and His promises. Pausing to really think about what has been said or sung is beneficial to the singer and the listener or the congregation during prayer. Worship. Worship is singing, praying, lifting holy hands in praise and thanksgiving, digging into His Word and being in the Presence of the LORD, allowing Him to have His way in every area of our life by obedience to His will.

Selah. Pause and calmly think about this……………………

So, as I come to this unusual word, I will now pause and give deeper consideration to all I just read. I will go back to the beginning to ponder on all the LORD is conveying. I will praise Him for His Word and I will sing the songs that rise from the scriptures with my whole heart, soul, and voice. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD! (Psalm 100:1-3). “I will go on til the end!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQHJh_111yI

I Look to You by Selah