selah

[ see-luh, sel-uh ]

noun

1. an expression occurring frequently in the Psalms, thought to be a liturgical or musical direction, probably a direction by the leader to raise the voice or perhaps an indication of a pause.

selah

/ ˈsiːlə /

noun

1. a Hebrew word of unknown meaning occurring in the Old Testament psalms, and thought to be a musical direction

Word History and Origins

Origin of selah¹

First recorded in 1520–30, selah is from the Hebrew word selāh

Word History and Origins

Origin of selah¹

C16: from Hebrew

Example Sentences

As Selah talks to Mora, the two embark on a kind of intertextual journey.

From The Daily Beast

He was a very busy man, de Psalmist—writin' down hymns all day, sharpen'n' his lead-pencil, bossin' 'roun' de choir—callin' Selah!

From Project Gutenberg

But—'here comes the Selah and the voice is hushed'—I will speak of other things.

From Project Gutenberg

In this view, the word selah directs a repetition of the air or song from the commencement, to the parts where it is placed.

From Project Gutenberg

Herder held that selah denoted a swell, or a change in the rapidity of the movement, or in the key.

From Project Gutenberg

Afterwards, the Methodist brother learned that he had entertained a Baptist unawares—Selah.

From Project Gutenberg