What is the current scholarly opinion on the possible translations for "Selah" (סֶלָה) as used in the Psalms?
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Per Strong's, the word itself means However, when we see it used in Psalms (per the question), it's accepted that this is a musical term used to accentuate the passage, pause or show interruption. (Again, this is per Strong's.)
Gesenius's Lexicon shows that this term is probably used for rest or silence:
Wikipedia has a much longer discussion about this one word (including many different opinions). |
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Perhaps, an answer of sorts would exist in other musical/ poetic traditions of the middle east in general. It's highly likely there may be a trace of the art/tech of its usage evident in other musical traditions of area. Contemplative poetry is I believe still a high cultural value in the middle east in general....? (Coleman Barks may be best example of this for westerners?) Also, music that provokes religious feeling is a technology that combines the use of both halves of brain. A pause may be for processing to take place. A good musician... Sensitive to his / her audience would pause for feedback from audience? Not being a musician of that sort I can only imagine it would be a very subtle art? |
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