The word “selah” appears frequently throughout the Book of Psalms and in some other parts of the Bible as well. It appears 71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in the Book of Habakkuk. But what exactly does this mysterious word mean?
The exact meaning and purpose of “selah” is somewhat uncertain. However, most Bible scholars believe it was likely a musical or liturgical notation used in temple worship. Some key insights about “selah” in the Bible include:
1. It was connected to music and singing
The Psalms were songs used in worship, accompanied by musical instruments. Since selah appears throughout the Psalms, it seems to be connected to the musical aspect in some way. Many Bible versions translate it as “pause” or “musical interlude.” This suggests it may have been a direction to the singers and musicians to pause, or to play an instrumental solo at that point.
2. It highlighted important content
Selah often appears after an important statement, petition, or praise. For example, in Psalm 3:2 it appears after the line “Many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Perhaps the selah notation was used to highlight significant passages and key themes.
3. It was likely a direction for reflection
Since selah seems to signal a pause in the music, it also probably functioned as a time for the congregation to reflect on what had just been sung. The pausing and meditation would allow the meaning and message to sink into their hearts and minds.
4. It may connect to the concept of “forever”
One Hebrew root word associated with selah is “salal” which means “to lift up.” Some scholars relate this to lifting up prayers and praise to God forever. So selah may functionally mean to exalt God’s name forever.
5. Selah as “silence” or “stillness”
A few researchers suggest selah actually indicates times of silent meditation or stillness before God. The silence allows space to quietly reflect and contemplate the praise or prayers offered up to the Lord.
6. Selah as a liturgical response
Another possibility is that selah was used like “amen” – a customary, liturgical response after passages of praise or petition. Similar to responding “amen” after a prayer, “selah” may have been the congregation’s way to agree and assent to what was just sung.
7. Selah and lifting up sacrifices
Since Temple sacrifices were a key element of Old Testament worship, some link selah to the ritual of lifting up sacrifices or offerings to God. The musical pause allowed time for the priests to lift up the sacrifices in conjunction with the sung praise.
8. Selah as musical interlude during altar rituals
Likewise, selah may have provided musical interludes for the priests to perform ritual activities like burning incense or placing offerings on the altar. The pause in singing allowed the rituals to be completed before continuing.
9. Link to the Levitical singers and musicians
The Temple musicians and singers were from the tribe of Levi, and the Levites were charged with providing music and praise for Temple services. Selah may have given instructions to the Levite musicians on proper times to play instrumental interludes.
10. Selah shows the vibrant worship of ancient Israel
However the ancient Israelites used selah, it points to their vibrant worship full of song, music, ritual, reflection, and praise. The Psalms were the “soundtrack” of Temple worship, used in a multidimensional way to glorify and exalt the Lord.
While the exact meaning of selah may remain a mystery, we can appreciate how it enriches the musical, poetic Psalms. The God who was worthy of such artistic worship centuries ago is still worthy of our worship today. Though we may not know the full purpose behind the ancient term “selah,” we can still pause and lift up our own prayers and praise to the Lord.
11. Selah is associated with lifting hands up to the Lord
Some Bible scholars connect selah to the physical act of lifting hands up to God in praise and prayer. When selah appears in a Psalm, it may signify the congregation lifting their hands in response to the truths being sung.
For example, Psalm 134:2 says “Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!” Many worshippers today lift or clap their hands while singing praise to God, so selah may have a similar meaning.
12. Selah as musical crescendo
Rather than a pause or interlude, some believe selah indicates a musical crescendo. It may signify building the music and singing to a climactic point to emphasize the meaning and impact of the words. Singing a crescendo engages the worshippers to connect and respond.
13. Link to loud shouting and praise
This connects to the possibility that selah denotes a loud shout or ringing cry in response to the praise sung. It emphasizes the importance of enthusiastic, audible praise to God’s glory.
14. Selah and the exaltation of God
Overall, selah seems fundamentally connected to the lifting up, magnifying, and exalting of God’s name. Through sung praise, reflection, rituals, music, and exclamation, selah reminds us that worship should honor and exalt our glorious God.
15. Selah invites the presence of God
By pausing to lift up God in praise, selah creates space for the manifest presence of God to be experienced. The waiting and openness of selah invites God’s very Spirit into the midst of worship.
Some examples of selah in the Book of Psalms include:
- Psalm 3:2 – “Many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah”
- Psalm 3:4 – “I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah”
- Psalm 3:8 – “Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! Selah”
- Psalm 4:2 – “O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah”
- Psalm 4:4 – “Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah”
In the end, the ancient term selah provides a gateway into the passionate, artistic worship of God that filled the Temple. Though we may not fully grasp the meaning and use of selah today, we can still follow its example by pausing to lift our hearts and voices to the Lord in adoration.
16. Selah directs attention to God’s promises
The placement of selah in the Psalms often highlights key promises and truths about God. By signaling emphasis, selah draws attention to God’s covenant faithfulness, reliability, and hope.
An example is Psalm 61:4 – “Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah.” This selah directs meditation toward the promise of God’s eternal refuge.
17. Selah separated verses or stanzas
Some researchers propose that selah simply separated stanzas or verses within a Psalm. It demarcated different sections much like punctuation functions today. So selah may signify something as simple as a break between poetic verses or musical stanzas.
18. Repeated use of selah in Habakkuk 3
The high concentration of selah in Habakkuk 3 provides clues to its usage. Some key instances include:
- Habakkuk 3:3 – “God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah”
- Habakkuk 3:9 – “You split the earth with rivers. Selah”
- Habakkuk 3:13 – “You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. Selah”
In this poetic praise, selah seems to highlight major turning points and themes about God’s power and salvation.
19. Selah is a mystery that points to worship
While the specific meaning of selah eludes complete certainty, one thing is clear – it flows from passionate worship of God. The visual reminder of selah in Scripture should likewise remind us to pause and worship God with heartfelt awe and gratitude.
20. Selah as authoritative revelation
Since God inspired all of Scripture, selah carries the authority of divine revelation. Whether or not we understand the term, it demonstrates how all of the Psalms – and all the Bible – are God-breathed and useful for teaching and instruction (2 Timothy 3:16).
In summary, though the ancient term “selah” does not come with a clear definition, it provides rich glimpses into the artistic beauty of Old Testament worship. By pausing to praise and exalt God, selah reminds us of music’s unique power to lead us into the wonder of worship.
Selah reveals that true worship involves all of our heart, soul, mind and strength as we lift the name of Jesus higher and higher. Just as selah punctuated the Psalms, let us punctuate our lives and each day with praise, allowing space for the presence of God to move powerfully.
Though we may not have a Temple ritual or choir of Levites, we can still worship God with the same passion and creativity reflected in the motif of selah. More than trying to interpret selah, we are called to enter in. As we sing out, pause in His presence, ponder His promises, and lift our hearts in adoration, may our lives become a perpetual psalm of praise.