The use of selah first appears in Psalm 3 where it is used three times. Selah is used 70 times in the Psalms and in Habakkuk 3:3, 9, and 13.* Despite its frequent use in these texts, the exact meaning of selah is illusive.* Often believed to be used in a musical context, many scholars believe selah to mean “pause” or musical interlude.* Often the word selah is used to divide ideas within a text, lending some credibility to its use as a musical term.*
The book of Psalms is a book of emotion. Anger, sadness, grief, joy, hope, faith, trust, courage, tragedy, repentance… these are just some of the sentiments expressed through the psalms. Their presence in the Holy Word of God permissions us to bring all of our emotions honestly to our God who cares. During these times of expression, it is important to pause. Perhaps that pause gives time to listen. Perhaps that pause gives time to rest. Perhaps that pause allows us to contemplate.
Whatever the case, and whatever the exact meaning of selah, we must pause in the processing of life.
I find it interesting that a word that is so often used and that must hold great importance to be included in the words that God chose to express His heart for humanity is largely a mystery. What does it mean?
The mysteries of God invite us to draw close to God in relationship. They beckon us to abandon formula and to embrace conversation.
For the next two weeks, we are going to selah. What are we to do? What does this mean? It means that we are going to partner with God in embracing the interruption of the processing of life in some purposeful way. Are you ready to venture into the mysterious space of meeting with God?
Life is a journey. It requires one step at a time. It requires water breaks. It requires training. It requires us to embrace the interruptions of God.
Selah: Day 1
Write down emotions that you know you need to process. Perhaps you have been putting them off until you “have time.” Maybe you don’t know how to process them. Maybe it’s one emotion. Maybe it’s five. Write down the emotion. Before you process the emotion(s).
Sit and selah.
Allow God to fill this unfamiliar, mysterious space. Perhaps He will have you be still. Maybe He will ask you to listen to something He wants to say to you. Perhaps today is a day for tears, laughter, or anger. Maybe today God will tell you what emotion you have been hiding from Him.
Selah with the Lord today.
*Easton, M. G. (1893). In Illustrated Bible Dictionary and Treasury of Biblical History, Biography, Geography, Doctrine, and Literature (p. 612). Harper & Brothers.
Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Selah (Music). In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 1923). Baker Book House.
Wilson, G. H. (2002). Psalms (Vol. 1, p. 128). Zondervan.
Craigie, P. C. (2004). Psalms 1–50 (2nd ed., Vol. 19, pp. 76–77). Nelson Reference & Electronic.