Selah

 

     The word, “selah” appears in a variety of places in the Bible, most often in the Psalms. It is a word on its own, tucked between verses.  The meaning used most often for this word is “to pause.”

     Many of the Psalms were sung as songs of praise to God. Journeying each year to their temple in Jerusalem, the Jewish people would sing together praises to their God. The word may have been used as a pause to catch a breath or as a break for the musical instruments. Two other meanings of the word are “to weigh or balance” and “to praise.”

     This winter, as we sit out a storm or two, as we are stuck in traffic, or as we come in early because of diminishing daylight, as we make stew or soup or walk outside in the quiet of a snow-filled day, let’s pause and weigh the words of God as we praise Him. Let this winter be a time to be still and know Him.  Selah

He says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a

Father,

Give us time to be still before You, to feel Your presence around us. Protect us. Give us strength. Bring us comfort and peace. We pause to praise You this morning. Selah

Amen