There are many questions in the Bible that aren’t easy to answer. The origin and meaning of words are very significant, yet, even theologians disagree on it’s meaning. Nevertheless, it is worth pursuing and thinking about to come up with a meaningful understanding.
The Bible is filled with mystery and curious wonders. Most people simply skim across does headlines and rarely consider its depth of meaning. It is worth thinking about!
The word Selah is one of those words that we find that is unclear of its origin and meaning. It is worth thinking about! You better understand this word I did a little bit of study but I thought I’d share with you today.
The Amplified Bible adds “pause and calmly think about that” to each verse where Selah appears. It is an intentional act of waiting in contemplation call has been written.
When we see the word Selah in a psalm or in Habakkuk 3, we should pause to carefully weigh the meaning of what we have just read or heard, lifting up our hearts in praise to God for His great truths. “All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name. Selah!” (Psalm 66:4).
One person theorized that the root of this word has an early connection to Latin and Greek and even potentially coming from the language of the Philistines. Not much is known of even that people group except that the people of God fought again against the Philistines.
Even David defeated their greatest warrior, Goliath which increased his notoriety and eventually kingship. It’s a good working theory and you could see his video here. 
In Keith Massey’s video he connects the themes related to music and even the early understanding that derives its historic connection to 1 Samuel 16:18. David was musical. If his theories are correct then even the word solo get derive its meaning from this root connection. It’s obvious that the word solo is connected to someone singing a part or alone. This theory makes sense of the use and even gives us a deeper understanding of what it means to pause and reflect.
Each of these meanings do not drift terribly far from one another. They still carry a similar thread thunder standing. Ultimately each usage of the word Salah points back to the glory and praise of God. In a sense, we are to reflect upon the truth of God‘s message and even give him praise both as an individual and as a collective.
It is curious, that although we may not use the word Selah in our daily vocabulary, we find the idea of meditating and waiting woven all throughout Scripture. In our instant pot culture where we find ourselves hurried we miss out on truth if we do not pause and consider as well as pause to worship.
Selah! It’s worth thinking about.
Selah is found in two books of the Bible, but is most prevalent in the Psalms, where it appears 71 times. It also appears three times in the third chapter of the minor prophet Habakkuk. So, since it’s mentioned so many times, it stands to reason that we would think about it and discover some of its truth.
Many different translations attempt to break this down with a significant clarity to its meaning. One such example is in Psalm chapter 3 in this word is used three times. It’s as if we are instructed to break in consider what has been written. Some translations use the word, interlude while others may reference it as a chorus that is familiar. Some believe it to be a pause to worship the truth of the verse. In the case of this chapter, we find three different courses or interludes.
Beyond this the word Selah is used in many other places has a particular theme associated with it.
