Eastertide

May 17, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35

O God, when you went out before your people,
   when you marched through the wilderness,
          Selah
the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain
   at the presence of God, the God of Sinai,
   at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad;
   you restored your heritage when it languished;
your flock found a dwelling in it;
   in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth;
   sing praises to the Lord,
          Selah
O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
   listen, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
Ascribe power to God,
   whose majesty is over Israel;
   and whose power is in the skies.
Awesome is God in his sanctuary,
   the God of Israel;
   he gives power and strength to his people.

Blessed be God! –Psalm 68:7-10, 32-35

When I first discovered the word Selah in scripture, I learned that no one was quite sure what it meant. It was perhaps a musical instruction.  It has also been described as meaning to exalt God. Recently I read that it may mean to pause for contemplation. Look above at the sentences that appear just before the word Selah. Now read the quote from the Psalm and pause at each Selah and contemplate what you just read. The first such sentence describes God’s leading the Israelites out of Egypt, out of slavery. Now read the sentence that follows. The pause makes a difference in broadening our understanding. In the next instance, the sentence commands us to sing, then we pause and learn that those in heaven are singing too.

Prayer: We thank you, Lord, for the pauses in our lives that bring us closer to you. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.