Selah, Selah, Selah

Troubles always seem to find me

They rise up against me, Selah

I know God loves me and shields me

Sincere, mine eyes look up to God

My heart leapt eager to give voice

Was heard atop Zion, Selah

I rested and God restored me

Awake unafraid of what waits

God saves me from those against me

Salvation and blessings for all, Selah

In the middle of the Bible are all the Psalms praising God in some form for his deliverance in prominent roles as a personal and intimate hero.  Psalm 3 consists of eight verses expressing David’s emotions recalling his flight from Absalom with his son.  The word Selah appears 71 times in the Bible.  Selah first appears in the Bible in Psalm 3.  No one knows for sure what Selah means.  In my opinion, Selah is the epitome of God’s Love emphasizing a vocal mimic of the warm solace sigh found only when in complete rest embraced by God’s silent presence.  It is the ultimate expression of sound contained within an intimate Prayer of Silence.  Many would argue it is a musician’s notation to pause, or stop, or silence musical instruments within a musical score.  Since all of David’s songs in the Book of Psalms were originally sung during worship and not intended as simple words to be read.  

Let us set aside the mystery within the single word of Selah, as well as the importance of expressing to God our prayers, thoughts to God within the emotional transference contained in music.  Psalm 3 epitomizes the complete cycle of deliverance.  Verses 1 to 2 is condemnation.  Verses 3 to 4 is the desperate cry of disheartenment.  Verses 5 to 8 is the acknowledgement of all God’s Love given without asking.  The recognition of God’s power, prayer of deliverance through trust declared in God’s resolute power over evil.  Praise given for God’s deliverance through the declaration of God’s ownership of all glory and his benevolence to grace all with his Love. 

Scripture Readings: Psalm 3:1-8