The word “Selah” appears only in the book of Psalms and Habakkuk. “Selah” is found multiple times in today’s readings. But what does that word mean? Bible commentators do not all agree on the meaning of the Hebrew word. Some believe that “Selah” was used to inform musicians to change instruments, or to change the tempo of the song. Another said it was a call for hearers to fall on their face and worship the Lord. The majority of Bible scholars, however, believe the word meant to rest and reflect.
Rest and reflect doesn’t seem quite as easy to accomplish as it used to. Busy is the new normal. But busy doesn’t necessarily mean we are accomplishing anything of importance. Most of the time we are busy with trifles that eat up our time, and then when we really need to get something done we realize we’ve wasted precious opportunities. Oh, that doesn’t happen to you? Just me? Well you might need to rest and reflect on that a a little while.
What might we rest and reflect on? Though the psalmists were divinely inspired to write the Word of God, there were times when something so magnificent or weighty was said that readers and hearers needed to rest and reflect on the saying before moving on to the next phrase. For instance: “All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah” (Psalms 66:4). In other words, “stop what you’re doing and worship the Lord.” “He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah” (Psalms 66:7). Reflect that God has all power, and that you don’t. That should give us pause for a few moments. “God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah” (Psalms 67:1). Do you need mercy? Do you need blessings that only come from above? Rest and reflect on that.
Selah is a marker in your reading that you need to read again what you just read in order to rest and reflect upon it. Go back through the Psalms we’ve been reading and mark all the times you see “Selah.” Then rest and reflect on those glorious truths, for you might just find rest for your wearied mind and soul.