סֶ֫לָה

From the study of Psalm 62:8

Range of meaning

Uncertain. It occurs 71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk 3. Most likely it is a performance or liturgical instruction. Suggestions include "lift up" (from salal, to raise: raise the voice or instruments), an instrumental interlude, a pause, or a place for a congregational response.

Against the English

Most English versions simply transliterate it. Some popular explanations present it as "pause and reflect on this" as if that were certain.

How it drifted

The meaning was already lost by the time of the ancient translators. The Septuagint guessed diapsalma, roughly "interlude", and later Jewish tradition (e.g. the Targum and some rabbinic readings) took it as "forever".

Used elsewhere in the period

Septuagint diapsalma. Aquila's Greek and Jerome's translation from the Hebrew render it as "always".

From the study of Psalm 85:2

Range of meaning

Uncertain. Suggestions include a musical interlude or pause, a cue to 'lift up' the voice or instruments (from sālal, 'to raise'), or a point where the congregation responds. It appears 71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk 3.

Against the English

All versions transliterate it. That is honest, since nobody knows its meaning.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Septuagint renders it diapsalma, which probably means 'interlude'. Later Jewish tradition (some Targums, Jerome following Aquila) took it to mean 'forever'.

From the study of Psalm 4:4

Range of meaning

A technical term found 71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk 3. Its meaning is unknown. Proposals include a musical interlude, a signal to raise the voice or instruments (perhaps from s-l-l, 'lift up'), a point for the congregation to bow or respond, or a repetition marker.

Against the English

All English versions transliterate it as 'Selah'. The Septuagint translates it diapsalma ('interlude').

How it drifted

It is often popularly explained as 'pause and think about this'. That is a guess, not established meaning.

Used elsewhere in the period

Septuagint diapsalma; Habakkuk 3:3, 9, 13; later Jewish tradition (e.g. Targum, some rabbis) took it as 'forever'.