Thank you for the Biblical question, “What does the word “Selah” in the Bible mean?”
According to the Introduction to the Book of Psalms, the word, “selah” is used 39 times in the Psalms. As one reads the Psalms, the word, “selah” is found in the first three sections of the Psalms before 90 and none from Psalms 90 to 150. Furthermore, it is difficult to discern why some Psalms have them while others are absent of them.
The possible interpretation suggests by others are as follows:
- Selah is a liturgical notations for some instruments.
- Selah is a musical interlude.
- Selah is a pause for the worship to ponder the preceding or following words.
The first citation is in Psalm 3 which is cited 3 times. For one’s consideration in that Psalm it appears to build to a crescendo, “Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.” Selah. There is a contrast, “But you are a shield around me, O LORD…To the LORD I cry aloud and he answers me from his holy hill.” Selah. I lie down and sleep. I wake again, because the LORD sustains me…From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.” Selah.
There appears to be strong feelings express with contrasting or clashing events with a resultant action. Psalm 32 says this, “For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.” Selah “Therefore I acknowledged my sin to you and didn’t cover up my iniquity.” Perhaps as readers when we come to the word, selah, we should pause in our reading and take a moment to meditate on the truth that the Psalmist is trying to teach us. Whether it is a musical interlude or a meditative stop, let us slow down and pause on our gas petal of life. To be honest, quite often when I am reading through the Bible I am just turning pages, reading words without stopping to think about what I am reading or singing words mindlessly at church service. We need a pause button and not just plow through verses.
SUMMARY: We need “Selah” to pause in our day and to pause in our reading of God’s Word to do some personal reflection. We will be blessed if we pause before our God.
For more perspectives:
https://www.quora.com/What-does-the-word-Selah-in-the-Bible-mean