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 band’s familiar name displayed on the cover – Selah.
I know selahwas included in the last line of Anita Diamant’s book, The Red Tent, and that it has been used as a girl’s name in both literature and church circles, but what does selahmean in the Bible?
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, Strong’s 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 word’s origin. Some believe it was derived from the Hebrew word “calah” – which meant “valued” or “hangs”. We read this word in Job 28:19 (KJV), “The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued [calah] 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 selah’s 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 [pause, and calmly think of that]!”
Unlike most Biblical words, selah is not directly translated. Instead, it is transliterated, or written to represent its sound in the original language. Jason Soroski shares more about transliteration in his article, What Does Selah Mean in the Bible and Why Is it Important?.
Where Is Selah Used in the Bible?
The first reference to selah appears in 2 Kings 14:7. Here, we read that Jehoash, king of Israel, captured Selah along with ten thousand Edomites. In this instance, Selah was a specific city – possibly though not likely, modern-day Petra – a stronghold and the capital of Edom.
Selah is also mentioned in Isaiah 16:1(NIV), “Send lambs as tribute…from selah.” and Obadiah 1:3 (AMPC),“The pride of your heart has deceived you, you dweller in the refuges of the rock [Petra, Edom’s capital] …”
In each of the instances above, selahspecifies a place surrounded by or made of rock.
In the prophetic song of Habakkuk, selahis referenced three times in Chapter 3.
"God came from Teman, The Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah."(Habakkuk 3:3 NKJ)
"… Oaths were sworn over Your arrows.Selah."(Habakkuk 3:9 NKJ)
"You struck the head… by laying bare from foundation to neck. Selah." (Habakkuk 3:18 NKJ)
The poetic verses are somewhat like those in the Psalms – many of the lines that include selahuse it as a conclusion or break in the stanza. In fact, selah is included seventy-one times within thirty-nine Psalms. Thirty-one of these were directed “to the choirmaster” or director. It is easy to understand, then, why many people believe selah is a type of musical instruction.
Both King David and the Sons of Korah penned selah into their Psalms, suggesting it was a familiar term not only to musicians but also to worshippers. Some have suggested selah might have been an Old Testament equivalent to amen or hallelujah used to emphasize an important point in the Psalm. Selahis even listed as an interjection in Strong’s concordance.
Perhaps we will never have a clear understanding of the lyrical selah, but we can apply what we know to our lives as an act of worship.
How Do We Live a Life of ‘Selah’ in the Day-to-Day?
In a world routed by Covid restrictions, pipeline shortages, and mask mandates, we can forget God is sovereign. Despite our overwhelm, he is unsurprised by our circ*mstances. With its multiple meanings, selah can enrich our worship and embolden our faith as we learn to trust in the Lord even in these challenging times.
Let’s review 2 Kings 14:7. This verse could be transliterated as the king “took the rock by war.” I love the multiple meanings assigned to selah, especially this definition – “rock.”
God, who is our heavenly rock and stronghold, is multifaceted and unchanging. Because the Bible reveals His beauty and character to us, the simplest way to live a life of selah is to study scripture.
We can also develop a mindset of gratitude. Recent studies indicate that gratitude improves mood, decreases depression, and improves sleep. Our bodies were designed to give praise and thanks to God. By living a life of selah, or one in which we lift up the Lord, the blessing we give him returns to us.
A third way to implement selah is to pause in the frenetic pace of the day to nurture relationship with Christ. Like Mary, we can sit at the feet of Jesus and choose “what is better” (Luke 10:42 NIV).
Practical Tips for Studying Selah in Scripture
Because many of the Psalms include selah, they are a natural place to begin reading and reflecting on the Lord. Some of these include Psalms 3, 4, 7, and 9. You can search for the Psalms that reference selah, or if you would like to receive a weekly selah study prompt, click here.
While reading each of the Psalms, consider the following:
- What were the different emotions and thoughts the Psalmist expressed? Do you share your emotions and thoughts with the Lord in the same way? Why or why not?
- What were the Psalmist's circ*mstances?
- Consider reading and praying through the selah Psalms aloud.
- As you pronounceselah, pause, and remember that God is your fortress and strength. Then, exalt and praise his name for a specific gift in your life.
- Record the action verb in each Psalm. How does it relate to your life? Invite the Holy Spirit to teach you from each specific verse.
- Memorize each selahverse.
A Prayer for Christians to Live a Life Focused on Selah
Lord,
Your word tells us that your “greatness is unsearchable,” and much about you remains a mystery. But you have revealed yourself to us through scripture as well as the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We long to know you more fully and pray the Holy Spirit will provide insight and wisdom as we seek to understand that which is beyond us.
Father, help us to pause and remember you are sovereign when fear or anxiety threaten to overwhelm us. Teach us to rest securely in you – the solid, everlasting rock, and give you all the praise and glory. Selah.
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