I wonder......

[WannaWitness]

Maybe someone can help solve the following Bible-related mystery:

What's the meaning of the word "SELAH"? Or, rather, what does it refer to?

My guess is that it might be some kind of message for the musicians who play the music for the Psalms (the book where the word is found the most, and also in a few of the prophets' books). Does anyone have any ideas on this?

 

[filosofer]

That is one of several suggestions, and given the contexts inw hich it is used, that seems the most likely.

 

[Dmckay]

It means pause or rest, and may have been as you suggested instrucions to the musician, since the Psalms were Israel's Hymnal. It can also refer to contemplate or meditate as an instruction for the reader. Placing an emphasis uppon what was written.

The Psalms are Hebrew poetry. But, unlike western style poetry which is usually designed through the use of rhymed prose to create within the reader a sense of the feelings of the writer about what they were writing, Hebrew poetry utilizes various parallels of symbolism to create a rhythm of thought to make the reader think to understand what the writer was thinking about at the time of the writing. An excellent book on undersanding the Psalms is Ronald Barclay's Praise: A Matter of Life and Breath

 

[paulnoel]

The meaning of selah is unknown. however It is generally believed that it's usage was that of a musical or liturgical sign as a direction to the orchestra.
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