SELAH

When I see/hear the Hebrew word "Selah" I think of the Psalms. I think most bible lovers do. But have you ever thought about the word "Selah" itself?

When I want to think about something, I write. So here/hear I go. (When I write, I listen to a small voice. I'm all ears.)

Selah (סֶלָה) is one of the few Hebrew words that is left untranslated in an English bible. There are a few others: ET (את), YHWH (יהוה) and Sheol (שאול). Good Company.

The generally accepted meanings of Selah (סֶלָה) are: pause, reflect, and/or lift up (voices, instruments, or praise). 

The first Bible verse with "Selah" is Psalm 3:2

Psalm 3.2 esv  --"many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah 

In the Psalms, "Selah (סֶלָה)" is a liturgical/musical marker. Its placement in the Psalms consistently marks structural or emotional pivots, but its technical function is debated. 

Devotional interpretations sometimes emphasize "selah" as "pause and listen" or "pause to hear," which might evoke the concept of an "ear" thematically. 

Here is an interesting metaphorical connection in the Gospel of John: 

John 18:10-11 -- Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Scholarly sources consistently derive "selah" from the root "Salal (סָלַל)" meaning "to lift up" or "exalt", which supports musical ideas of elevation, pause, or intensification. Another proposed root is "Salah (סָלָה)" which also means "lift up", to "pause" or to "weigh." 

Context 

Selah's function in context is clear: It highlights crucial statements about God’s character, covenant, kingship, or salvation, effectively putting an exclamation point plus a “deep breath” in the poetic flow.

Selah invites the worshiper to stop reciting and start internalizing—letting the confession of trust, lament, or praise to “sink in.” 

Sing Praises

Selah is embedded in temple and congregational song, which is consistent with the ancient Israelite conviction that theology is enacted in song. Song is worship, worship is song. The Hebrew name for the book of Psalms is "Tehillim (תְּהִלִּים)," which means "Sing Praises". The full name is "Sefer Tehillim," which translates to "Book of Praises."

Other Clues 

The word "Selah" appears 3 times in Psalm 3, each at a turning point in the movement from danger to trust to salvation, which shows its role as a structural marker. Selah also appears 3 times in Habakkuk 3, a propetic message that emphasizes finding strength and joy in God during times of distress and seeming defeat. 

The main message of Habakkuk 3 is found in a hymn within verses 17-19. 

Habakkuk 3:
A Hymn of Faith
17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,

Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.

71

Seleh appears 71 times in the entire book of Psalms. Does 71 offer us any clues? 

The most obvious pointer is to Psalm 71. Psalm 71 contains prayers for deliverance and refuge in God. It is also about facing enemies. Does that remind you of anyone?  If we use Hebrew Gematria it points to the name "Jonah."

Jonah in Hebrew is יוֹנָה (Yonah): י–ו–נ–ה. 
Letter values:
י (yod) = 10
ו (vav) = 6
נ (nun) = 50
ה (heh) = 5 
Total gematria: 10 + 6 + 50 + 5 = 71. 

Yonah (יוֹנָה) means "dove." The dove is seen both as a symbol of peace and of salvation. 

A Connection

Is there a connection between Selah ("lift up")  and "Yonah" (71), the Peace Dove and "Salvation"? Well, the root of the word "Salvation" is "Yasha" meaning deliverance, help, or victory. "Yasha" is the root of "Yeshua" in Hebrew, meaning "salvation."

Moses "lifted up" his arms to God while Joshua (Yeshua) defeated the Amalekites on the ground. 

Exodus 17:11 -- And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

That scene has to be one of first episodes of "Selah" in the bible. 

SELAH, SING PRAISE. 

Amen.