SELAH!

 “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah” (Psalm 46:7).

Carefully notice the term “Selah” finding a place at the end of this verse. This word “Selah” finds place 71 times in 40 Psalms and three times in the third chapter of the book of Habakkuk. Since this word “Selah” is placed within the brackets, many people do not give importance to this word. This word has also been left out in many new publications of the Bible.  

So many incidences have gone by in your life unnoticed like this word “Selah.” You are stumbling for the reason that you do not know the answers to many questions of your life. God said once “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand” and this alone comes to the memory. Okay. There are three meanings to the word “Selah.” Shall we meditate them? 

Firstly, one of the meanings for the word “Selah” is “Arise and sing or Sing majestically.” It has been told as “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge” and this follows by the word “Selah.” When you sing about your Lord of hosts who is your refuge, you cannot sing simply and easily. Such portions ought to be sung by you majestically, raising your voice. 

Secondly, the meaning for the word “Selah” is “Sing changing the pitch.” When the chief musician plays, he will say “Selah” to other singers at a particular spot and they will begin to sing that portion of the song at a different pitch. In the 24th Psalm, you can find the word “Selah” finding the place after the words “This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face” and this means that the singers will have to sing the line “Lift your heads, O you gates! And be lifted” in a different pitch.  

Thirdly, the word “Selah” gives the meaning “Stop a while.” While singing, the musicians will raise their voices while singing certain lines and will sing changing the pitch during the singing of some other sentences. Sometimes, they will give a pause while singing some lines. For example, while singing the seventh verse of the 37th Psalm, the singers will give a pause after singing the words “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” and then continue together vigorously.  

Dear children of God, the singers obey the instructions of the chief musician and when he commands to give a pause, the eyes of the singers wait for a little and in the same way, let your heart and mind be waiting to obey the will of God.          

To meditate: “You have given a banner to those who fear you, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah” (Psalm 60:4).