selah

American  

[see-luh, sel-uh] / ˈsi lə, ˈsɛl ə /

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.

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selah British  

/ ˈsiːlə /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of selah

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

Example Sentences

"The Alstine fortune shall yet be mine— selah!"

From Five Thousand Dollars Reward by Pinkerton, A. Frank [pseud.]

The selah pause had come after the psalm.

From Mae Madden by Mason, Mary Murdoch

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

From Notes and Queries, Number 236, May 6, 1854 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by Various

After that he would turn 148 his back upon the golden selah in his life and return to his niche in the wall.

From At the Crossroads by Comstock, Harriet T. (Harriet Theresa)

These points, he thinks, were among the Hebrews indicated by the word selah.

From Notes and Queries, Number 236, May 6, 1854 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by Various