SELAH

by Tammy Phillips
March 25, 2021

I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. (Psalms 3:4-5 KJV) 

The word “selah” is used in the King James Version of the Bible 75 times, mostly in the Psalms.  The Hebrew translation of selah is pause; cease; cause to rest; be silent.  Mostly used in the break of songs.

I like Webster’s 1828 dictionary definition:

PAUSE: noun paux. [Latin pausa; Gr. to cease, or cause to rest.]
A stop; a cessation or intermission of action, of speaking, singing, playing or the like; a temporary stop or rest.

And…

PAUSE, verb intransitive pauz. To make a short stop; to cease to speak for a time; to intermit speaking or action.

In this crazy, seemingly, out of control world, it is so easy to become overwhelmed.  A friend and family member may say one thing.  The media says another.  The television says another and the “news” and social media…oh my goodness.

If it was a practice of David, I think it is definitely a practice that we should adapt! Selah. Whether it was a pause in His song or taking the time to reflect on the magnanimity of our great God, it was used often in the psalms. 

I enCOURAGE you to SELAH as often as you need.  Pause!  Take a break.  Meditate on our God who created the earth and all that is in it.  Think about His great love.  

I have a good friend who calls it the “EXHALE.” Whatever you call it, just do it.  Practice the Selah!