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THINK OF THAT
Or
The Selahs of Ephesians.
The word `Selah' is found in the Psalms some seventythree times. Much
has been written as to its precise meaning, but a considerable amount of
uncertainty still prevails. It seems practically certain that when the
Psalms were sung to musical accompaniment in the Temple a pause was indicated
by the `Selah'. This pause would not be placed arbitrarily, but at some
point where the subject matter of the Psalm calls upon the singer as well as
the hearer to stop and think. Once, in Psalm 9:16, we have `Higgaion, Selah'
meditate, pause. In many of the Psalms where this term Selah is found, it
will be observed that there is some matter either for comparison or of
contrast. Take the first Psalm to use it, namely Psalm 3.
`There is no help for him in God' (verse
2)
Selah -- think of that -- now read
on --
`But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me'
`He heard me out of His holy hill' (Psa.
3:3,4).
Selah -- think of that -- now read
on --
`I laid me down and slept' (Psa. 3:5).
Psalm 3 is connected with Psalm 4 by the Selah that comes at the end
and suggests that the two Psalms are dealing with much the same subject.
In Psalm 32 we have the Selah of Penitence.
`When I kept silence, my bones waxed old ...
For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me ... `
Selah -- think of that -- now read on.
`I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not
hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and Thou
forgavest the iniquity of my sin'. Selah -- think of that -- now read on.
`For this shall every one that is godly pray ...
Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance'.
Selah -- think of that -- now read on.
`I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt
go ...' (Psa. 32:3-8).
Psalm 46 supplies us with the Selah of Trust.
`God is our Refuge and Strength ... therefore will not we fear, though
... the mountains shake with the swelling thereof'.
Selah -- think of that -- now read on.
`There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city
of God ... The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered His
voice, the earth melted ... `.
Selah -- think of that -- now read on.
`Come, behold ... He maketh wars to cease ... `.