Selah Can Also Be Translated Foreveralways Or Eternally
Selah can also be translated as forever,always, or eternally. When used, it is a call to action in the midst of a storm, or any struggle for that matter.
As you go through life, it is important to remember that Gods strength is made perfect in our weakness. The Lord gives us peace when we are at our weakest moments because He has already given us victory over them . This verse also reminds us that even if you dont feel like theres anything you can do about your struggles, God knows what Hes doing and He will bring His plan together before your eyes.
What Is The Definition Of Selah
According to the Hebrew Bible, Selah is a word that appears at the end of a verse or paragraph, most often in Psalms.
Itâs often debated what the etymology of the root word is, but it’s typically thought of as a possible musical notation for choirmasters.
Psalms are used as songs, and Selah is considered a musical term that directs the congregation in a particular musical direction. Itâs also seen as a time for contemplation of the words written in the Psalms.
Due to the lack of a specific definition for the word, it’s hard to translate into English. So instead, we use a transliteration.
When a Hebrew word is translated into an English word that means the same thing, we call it a translation. For example, since the Hebrew word erets and the English word earth have the same meaning, we translate it as âearth.â
Transliteration is the process of sounding out a Hebrew word in English, so we can read it and pronounce it. Hallelujah is a good example. Hallelujah is a transliteration of the Hebrew word that means “praise God” .
As opposed to translating it as “praise God,” this word has been left for us to say out loud in the original Hebrew, as itâs a powerful expression of worship. The fact that Selah is transliterated and not translated does not affect its importance.
In fact, it signifies that we pronounce the word similarly to how the original speakers and writers did thousands of years ago.
Selah In The Scripture
Lets take a bit of a deeper dive of selah in the scripture. We can get an even more clear picture of what we have discussed above. In the Scripture, selah is almost always at the end of a verse or a chapter. This is interesting because it is placed in a spot usually where a new sentence or paragraph would go which would insinuate to think about what was just said.
Psalm 3:2 Many are saying of my soul, There is no deliverance for him in God. Selah.
Psalm 7:5 Let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it And let him trample my life down to the ground And lay my glory in the dust. Selah.
Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.
Habakkuk 3:3 God comes from Teman, And the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor covers the heavens, And the earth is full of His praise.
Have we figured out what does selah mean yet? I think we have a pretty cool picture. Looking at the few verses above we can see that it doesnt mean good or bad. God wanted them to think about it all. Psalm 3:2 has a quote saying there is no deliverance for him in God. Obviously there is a struggle here and what was just put into this Psalm is 100% not true. We see the writer struggling here because the people were saying that he wasnt delivered. That although he is with God, he is still bound.
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Selah Matters Because Of Where It Is Found
The word Selah is a Hebrew word that occurs seventy-one times in the book of Psalms and three times in Habakkuk. The seventy-one appearances in Psalms happen within thirty-nine of the Psalms, as the word Selah is often repeated within the same Psalm. But why is it there?
Based on the context, it is generally accepted that Selah is a musical term of some sort, and is there to provide musical direction.
Thirty-one of the thirty-nine Psalms that include the word Selah are titled, “to the choirmaster.” The prophetic book of Habakkuk, like the Psalms, is a book of poetry, and the third chapter is a prayer in the form of a song. It is in this musical chapter that we find the word Selah. This certainly reinforces the idea that Selah is a kind of musical notation or expression, and that it was known and understood by musicians and even those who were just singing along.
The fact that Selah is often found at the end of a verse or chapter also supports the idea that it suggests a pause since it shows up in places where we would normally put a period or a new paragraph.
Psalm 3 contains the words Selah three times, at the end of sections of thought, and at the very end of the Psalm:
Selah Matters Where You Are
The word Selah is a Hebrew word that occurs seventy-one times in the book of Psalms and three times in Habakkuk. The seventy-one occurrences in Psalms occur within thirty-nine of the Psalms, as the word Selah is often repeated within the same Psalm. But why is it there?
Based on the context, it is generally accepted that Selah is a musical term of some kind, and is there to provide musical direction.
Thirty-one of the thirty-nine Psalms that include the word Selah are entitled to the choirmaster. The prophetic book of Habakkuk, like the Psalms, is a book of poetry, and the third chapter is a prayer in the form of a song. It is in this musical chapter that we find the word Selah. This certainly reinforces the idea that Selah is a kind of musical notation or expression, and that it was known and understood by musicians and even those who just sang.
The fact that Selah is often found at the end of a verse or chapter also supports the idea that it suggests a pause since it appears in places where we would normally place a period or a new paragraph.
Psalm 3 contains the words Selah three times, at the end of the thought sections and at the end of the Psalm:
1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
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Selah Matters Simply Because It Is In The Bible
The Bible is truly the words of God given to us, and every one of those words matters, even the words we don’t fully understand and can’t properly translate. After all, we can’t understand all there is to know about God, so it stands to reason that there would be words in Scripture that are beyond our full comprehension. This doesn’t diminish words like Selah, but in some ways can make them a little more meaningful.
Another transliterated word in the Bible that we don’t fully understand is the word shigionoth and its singular form, shiggaion. Each of these words appears in the Bible only once. The important thing for us here is that these two words appear in chapters that are written as music and, you guessed it, also include the word Selah.
Shigionoth is found in Habakkuk 3:1, at the beginning of Habakkuk’s prayer/song which includes three uses of the word Selah, “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.”
Shiggaion is found in the title of Psalm 7, “A shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord”.
Like the word Selah, no one knows the exact meaning of these words, but many scholars feel that shigionoth and shiggaion are clearly related to music. Some believe that it has to do with strong emotion, and the lyrical content of the songs where it is used would certainly support this idea.
What Does Selah Mean
Remember, no one knows exactly what Selah means, however, Bible scholars say it could mean the following:
- A pause or break at the end of a thought or subject
- A filler to make the melody and line lengths correspond.
- Selah could also mean forever or it is so.
Some think Selah is a notation indicating that the person reading the Psalm should pause to allow the audience to respond or repeat the previous statement for emphasis and meditation. Still others think it is a musical notation like forte or allegro you often see printed in musical scores.
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The Importance Of The Word Selah In The Bible
Its as beautiful as its mysterious. Is it a word? Or, is it a biblical name?
This word appears mostly in the book of Psalms, and its not an uncommon question to ask why its even in the Bible. The question ofWhat is the meaning of the word Selah in the Bible? has been a major discussion among students, scholars, Bible study groups, and even people wanting to learn more about the Bible.
Many have said that the word Selah means to reflect or to pause, and if you look at the context of how this word is used in the book of Psalms, it makes total sense. That said, theres still the lingering uncertainty or unsureness to what the word actually means, and plenty of Bible books usually have footnotes to explain what Selah means or, at the very least, their interpretation of the word Selah.
If we dont know the exact meaning of the word Selah, then it begs the question of if it matters whether we study about it today or not, or if it does carry any relevance to us Bible readers and Christians today. The quick and short answer is that no one really knows, and the long answer is that its still important to know the meaning for various reasons.
The Importance of Selah
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A Hebrew word, Selah occurs at least seventy-one times in the book of Psalms and three times in Habakkuks book. A total of 39 Psalms contain the word Selah, and its also repeated often within the same Psalms.
- Its a musical term.
- We read the transliteration.
Ever Wondered What Is Selah
I hum along to the strains of How Great Thou Art pouring from the living room speaker. As the song ends, I hustle to the CD player and press a small black button reluctant to surrender my time in worship to the demands of a full tutoring schedule. Turning away from the console, I notice a slim, midnight blue sleeve. I recognize the bands familiar name displayed on the cover Selah.
I know selah was included in the last line of Anita Diamants book, The Red Tent, and that it has been used as a girls name in both literature and church circles, but what does selah mean in the Bible?
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What Selah Means In The Bible
Selah is a musical term that appears in the Bible. Its used to signal a pause or rest in a piece of music, but it can also be used as an expression of praise or thanksgiving to God.
In the Old Testament, selah is often used when the psalmist wants to stop singing for a moment and reflect on the greatness of God. In Psalms 3:2, for example, David says therefore my heart exults, and with my song I praise Him. He then pauses his song to reflect on how great God is, and continues by saying I will sing praises unto Thee upon my harp .
In John 15:7-8 Jesus says If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will. Then he pauses again before continuing by saying and it shall be done unto you.
What Does Psalms 100 Say
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Psalm 100 is the 100th psalm in the Book of Psalms in the Hebrew Bible. In English, it is translated as Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands in the King James Version , and as O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands in the Book of Common Prayer .
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They Are Lifting Up Their Own Voice As A Sign Of Their Submission And Adoration For Him As Well
Selah is a call to worship. It is a signal for the people to lift up their voices and reflect on the greatness and glory of God. It can also be viewed as a call for silence, in order for us to take time to think about what has just been said or sung, so that we can better understand it and apply it to our lives in some way.
In addition, selah can be seen as an expression of submission/adoration towards God . This makes sense given how much emphasis is placed on being submissive towards God throughout both Testaments . In Hebrews 1:6 we read And when He again brings His firstborn into the world , He saysto Him be dominion forever! Amen. Therefore it seems likely that this word means Amen!
Its A Musical Term That Blesses Us
Selah is a musical term used to indicate tempo and mood in a performance. Thirty-one of the 39 Psalms mention a choirmaster using Selah.
Even Habakkuks prayer in the third chapter, which is set to music, is poetic. The musical context of this chapter provides further evidence that the word Selah is an expression or musical notation specific to music.
It was also mentioned that musicians could understand the word Selah, and thus, everyone started singing after hearing it. Looking up every instance of the phrase Selah, it always appears at the end of a verse or chapter, just like a period or a new paragraph.
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Blessings Be On Your People Selah
Even though Selah is a small word, it can have a significant impact on our spiritual growth.
Words like Selah create periodic pauses for contemplation. Meditation on the verses and asking the Heavenly Father to show us what we can learn from them will help us to reflect on God’s will.
If a verse doesnât sink into our hearts, we can reread it several times or say it aloud. Using the Lord’s guidance, we can seek to understand the meaning of some of the words we may not understand.
We can look up other verses that cover the same subject by cross-referencing them, and if we ask God for guidance, we can apply those scriptures to our lives.
For more information on Bible verses, download the pray.com app in the iOS App Store or .
Selah Verses In The Bible
The word Selah in the Bible typically shows up in the book of Psalms.
Here are the verses from Psalm 3, for example:
âO Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me, many are saying of my soul, there’s no salvation for him in God. Selah.
- âBut you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah.
- âI lay down and slept, I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. I won’t be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek, you break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord, your blessing be on your people! Selah.â
The word amen is clearly used at the end of a prayer and has been for centuries. But Selah is a word used purely in the Psalms and in song.
Apart from the word amen, which has a clear etymology and purpose, Selah is one word we may never truly understand.
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What Does Selah Mean In The Bible
The word selah is as mysterious as it is beautiful. While its exact meaning has been debated since the second century, Strongs concordance provides multiple definitions.
When used as a noun, selah refers to a cliff or crag. In verb form, though, it means to lift up, exalt a fitting definition for both the soring cliffs of Petra and the omnipotent God of Psalms.
Pronounced say-luh, scholars are unsure of the words origin. Some believe it was derived from the Hebrew word calah which meant valued or hangs. We read this word in Job 28:19 , The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. Here, Job has concluded that wisdom is of incomparable value. When it hangs in the balance, wisdom outweighs wealth.
Drawing on the frequency of selahs position at the end of a poetic verse or phrase, many Bible students have concluded that selah was a musical term that meant to pause or contemplate similar to the current rest notation used in a musical score. Instrumentalists, for instance, might have continued playing while the chorus or congregation stopped briefly.
Other scholars contend that selah meant forever or that it was designed to prompt congregants to contemplate their relationship with the Lord. As the Amplified version of Psalm 3:4 reflects, With my voice I cry to the Lord, and He hears and answers me out of His holy hill. Selah !