SELAH!
This is a word found 74 times in the Book of Psalms, and three times in the Book of Habakkuk. It is a Hebrew word, the meaning concerning which few can agree. The Translators of the Bible were somewhat puzzled with it, so they passed it on as it was, only putting it in English dress. What a lesson for those who have puzzling and bewildering providences which sorely try their faith and patience. What must we do with them? Why, just what the Translators have done-don’t worry about them, but leave that to the Lord, who, some day, will explain. At the present He says: "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." Some time we shall understand; in the meantime we can trust.
I. Is it a Musical Rest Note? That is the opinion of many. And this suggestion fits in splendidly with many Psalms, such as Psa_7:5, and others. There is need in our lives for frequent rest pauses. The daily quiet time is such an one. The blessed Lord’s Day is another. Whilst there is no music in a rest, the making of music is in them, and without them there could not be much harmony. Is that why there seems discord in so many lives?
II. Is it a Note of Exclamation? That is the latest view. The late Pastor Archibald G. Brown, who succeeded Thomas Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, strongly held to this view, and several Hebrew experts assured him that he was right in his declaration. He held to the view that it could be rendered, "Think of that!" and he preached an interesting sermon in exposition. Read, for example. Psalm 3, and when you come to Selah, instead of repeating that word, say "Think of that!" and you will fall in love with this helpful interpretation and explanation.
III Was it a Musical Sign to Indicate to the Musician that he should get on to a Higher Key? This is also a helpful suggestion, and works well when adapted in the reading of some of the Psalms where Selah appears. For example, look at Psalm 4; how doleful the Psalmist begins, and everything seems to be in the minor key, until we reach the sign Selah, then how differently things become, when everything begins to move on a much higher level.
If this is the right meaning of the word Selah, what a splendid motto it provides. Dr. Maclaren of Manchester, in addressing a large body of young men, said: "Young men, do not make it your ambition to get on, but to get up." If this is the right meaning, then Selah is in Hebrew what Excelsior is in the Latin, meaning "Higher." Get up! The Christian life is the higher life. To get higher means a great deal. On the cliffs at Boscombe we could hear quite clearly the splendid band playing on the Pier, but when we descended to the beach it could no longer be heard. Get higher, then you will hear more clearly the voice of the Lord giving you directions for your life, and communing with you. The pile driver can only do its work by being drawn up high.
But how can we get high?
1. Ask to be Led "to the Rock Higher than I," the Rock Christ Jesus. Ah, this makes all the difference possible. He will lift you up out of the horrible pit, and from the miry clay, and plant your feet firmly on that Higher Rock. This is the beginning of the higher life, its very A, B, C.
2. Allow the Holy Spirit to Fill You. The great gasometers that attract our attention when we get in the region of the Gas Works, rise higher and higher the more gas that is passed or forced in. The fuller it is the higher it rises. Which thing is a parable of the Christian life. Oh, to be filled with all the fulness of God!
3. We Need to be Daily Bathed in the Dews of His Grace. One of the attractions of sailing in tropical seas is the presence of flying fish. How long can flying fish keep out of their rightful element? It has been proved that these bonny creatures can fly in the air only so long as their wings (or rather fins) are wet. Directly they get dry, down they fall into the sea. Ah, have we not a lesson here? Let us see that each day the dews of His grace fall upon us, as they will in our quiet times of private prayer, when we shall live the life with wings.
Autor: James Smith