Ponderings on Ps. 46

Services

Sunday - 9:15 AM Sunday School, 10:30 AM Worship Service

by: Denise Robinson

08/15/2022

0

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear .. though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God ... God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved ... The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Come, behold the works of the Lord ... “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations; I am exalted in the earth.”
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

These are words from Psalm 46. Each stanza or refrain in the psalm ends with the word, "Selah," a word used seventy-one times in the Psalms (I am taking someone's word for this; I did not count!). The interesting thing is, we're not sure what the word means. Since it appears in the more "musical" psalms (ones dedicated to a "choirmaster," it is assumed that it's a musical direction, indicating a pause or interlude in singing while instruments are played. Some Hebrew lexicons define it as "to lift up, to exalt."

A common practice, when reading psalms with this word, is to pause after the word, re-read and think about the words you just read, and give thanks to (or exalt) God. Example: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear ... Selah." God is my refuge and strength, and my help in time of trouble. Therefore, I will not fear. God is my strength! I can depend on God, lean on God, and I need not be afraid of what this day will bring. Thanks be to God!

When you pause after each "selah," what do you hear?
Blog comments will be sent to the moderator
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear .. though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God ... God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved ... The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Come, behold the works of the Lord ... “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations; I am exalted in the earth.”
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

These are words from Psalm 46. Each stanza or refrain in the psalm ends with the word, "Selah," a word used seventy-one times in the Psalms (I am taking someone's word for this; I did not count!). The interesting thing is, we're not sure what the word means. Since it appears in the more "musical" psalms (ones dedicated to a "choirmaster," it is assumed that it's a musical direction, indicating a pause or interlude in singing while instruments are played. Some Hebrew lexicons define it as "to lift up, to exalt."

A common practice, when reading psalms with this word, is to pause after the word, re-read and think about the words you just read, and give thanks to (or exalt) God. Example: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear ... Selah." God is my refuge and strength, and my help in time of trouble. Therefore, I will not fear. God is my strength! I can depend on God, lean on God, and I need not be afraid of what this day will bring. Thanks be to God!

When you pause after each "selah," what do you hear?
cancel save

0 Comments on this post: