Selah is an ancient Hebrew word found 74 times in the Old Testament—71 times in the Book of Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk chapter 3—where its exact meaning remains a matter of scholarly debate. [1, 2]
Main Interpretations
A Musical Pause: Most biblical scholars believe it functions as a liturgical or musical notation. It likely instructed musicians to play louder, pause, or signal an instrumental interlude while the singers stopped.
To Lift Up or Exalt: Etymologically, it may derive from a Hebrew root meaning "to lift up" or "to weigh" (as in raising voices in praise or lifting hands in worship).
A Call to Reflection: Spiritually, it acts as a prompt for the reader or listener to stop, breathe, and deeply ponder the truth just spoken. Modern paraphrases like the Amplified Bible often translate it as "Pause, and calmly think about that." [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Would you like to explore how Selah is used in a specific psalm (like Psalm 46 or Psalm 3), or look into how ancient translations like the Septuagint handled the word?
Greg Jackson was born and grew up in Moline, Illinois. His mother and father were both from farm families and were familiar with the farm lifestyle - getting up early and working hard all day - but neither of them went into farming. His father, Homer, was a baker, he owned and operated the Melo Creme Donut Shop for many years, famous for its cinnamon fries and long johns. His mother was an elementary school teacher until she retired.
KNOWN FOR
"Did you know that I worked in a doughnut as a kid?" Greg was very fond of telling his grandchildren about his experiences working in the Melo Creme Donut Shop in his childhood. Even after he got married and moved away, Greg and his family were still occasionally featured in Melo Creme advertising, including calendars. Pictures (and lots of devotional material and other commentary can be found at his blog "Ichabod, the Glory Has Departed" at https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com.
WHAT THEY DID
Greg's work is defined by two major categories - his work as a Lutheran pastor and later a teaching career of his own. He earned a master's degree at Yale and a PhD at Notre Dame. He wrote many books about Lutheran history and also devotional material, including a biography of his now sainted wife Christina. In the latter part of his working life, he taught online classes for a number of institutions, including the University of Phoenix and Grand Canyon University. His reviews were stellar and his classes were packed.
A TREASURED MEMORY
When his son Martin's family was fairly young, he organized a trip to Disneyland in California for the whole family, including Greg and Chris. Together with Martin, his wife, and two children (at the time) they rode the rides, ate the food, and enjoyed the park and each other. One of the best parts was a character breakfast where Josie (the older sister, about four at the time) helped feed Danielle (the younger sister, who was two then). Pictures from this event still hang on the younger Jacksons' wall in Bentonville, Arkansas.
AND ONE MORE THING
Greg was married to Christina for fifty-two years. The classic marriage views say it, and they did it - they were together for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. They met at Augustana (college) in Rock Island and were inseparable from the age of 18.
With thanks to [Martin Jackson] for sharing these memories.
The Confession of Sins The Absolution The Introit p. 16
Introit
Almighty God, who hast knit together Thine elect
in one communion and fellow-ship in the mystical body of
Thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, grant us grace so to follow Thy blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that we may come to those unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love Thee; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Kyrie p. 17 The Gloria in Excelsis The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
O almighty God, who hast knit together Thine elect in one communion
and fellowship in the mystical body of Thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord,
grant us grace so to follow Thy blessed saints in all virtuous and godly
living that we may come to those unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared
for those who unfeignedly love Thee;through Jesus Christ, Thy Son,
our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Epistle and Gradual
Oh, fear the Lord, ye His saints:
for there is no want to them that fear Him.
V. They that seek the Lord:
shall not want any good thing. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden:
and I will give you rest. Hallelujah!
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord! Praise be to Thee, O Christ! The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Preface p. 24 The Sanctus p. 26 The Lord's Prayer p. 27 The Words of Institution The Agnus Dei p. 28 The Nunc Dimittis p. 29 The Benediction p. 31 The Hymn #657Beautiful Savior
KJV Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessedare the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessedare they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessedare the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessedare they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessedare the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessedare the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessedare the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10Blessedare they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
The Confession of Sins The Absolution The Introit p. 16
Introit
Make a joyful noise (Jubilate) unto God, all ye lands: sing forth the honor of His name; make His praise glorious.
Psalm. Say unto God, How terrible art Thou in Thy works: through the greatness of Thy power shall Thine enemies submit themselves unto Thee.
The Gloria Patri The Kyrie p. 17 The Gloria in Excelsis The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
Almighty God, who showest to them that be in error the light of Thy truth to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness, grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Epistle and Gradual
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. The Lord hath sent redemption unto His people. Hallelujah!
V. It behooved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead: and thus to enter into His glory. Hallelujah!
The Preface p. 24 The Sanctus p. 26 The Lord's Prayer p. 27 The Words of Institution The Agnus Dei p. 28 The Nunc Dimittis p. 29 The Benediction p. 31 The Hymn #514 God Moves in a Mysterious Way
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
Lord God, heavenly Father, who of Thy fatherly goodness dost suffer Thy children to come under Thy chastening rod here on earth, that we may be like unto Thine only-begotten Son in suffering and hereafter in glory: We beseech Thee, comfort us in temptations and afflictions by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not fall into despair, but that we may continually trust in Thy Son's promise, that our trials will endure but a little while, and will then be followed by eternal joy; that we thus, in patient hope, may overcome all evil, and at last obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
KJV 1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
KJV John 16:16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? 18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. 19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Mikron - A Little While
KJV John 16:16 A little while, μικρονand ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
This is a one-word sermon, so concise that one little word - mikron - is repeated seven times. If we pay attention to what Jesus is saying - concise and yet a lifetime of wisdom - we will change our entire perspective. I could say a microscope or a telescope. One is very short, the other reaches out millions and billions of miles. Micro is tiny and scope means "exam closely." Tele means a long distance yet it provides a close examination. I used to stop traffic on a state highway when I got my very large telescope out in the front yard. People parked their cars to look, so they could look at craters within craters on the moon. Jupiter, Saturn? yes yes!
This passage has three vital lessons - parallels.
The first involves Jesus Himself, who will undergo the worst of all punishments from Rome and the Jewish opponents.
The second is the disciples going through the same kind of torture, the agony of losing their Savior in a horrible and drastic way - the cross. Childbirth is often no better and is always the cause of great concern.
The third is the experience of the disciples, which begins with Stephen (ordained to serve under the disciples) being stoned to death by the Jewish mob yet seeing Heaven opened up.
KJV Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
At a district meeting (LCA), a Harvard PhD seminary professor told the LCA pastors that Christianity grew by the sword. Nobody objected until I said, "You are completely wrong." He said, "Why are you saying that? I must have been taught that." I said, "You went to Harvard. That's why." Yale had a beautiful and serious, separate Day Missions Library.
Day Missions Library, Yale Divinity. Main YDS section - National Council of Churches, RSV editing.
This passage from John's Gospel is so clear that we miss the lesson about us. If we apply this to our own lives, we can see and experience what Jesus is saying about Himself, the disciples, and us. It is so simple that people skip past the message, and yet the early arrangers of worship though this was a very important study. Great turmoil, discouragement, and release from the pain and sorrows - Jesus, the disciples, and the Christian believers - all participate together.
The lesson from Jesus is easy to remember (but often forgotten). We can dwell on the difficulties but they will be taken away. The Psalms especially are good at providing spiritual wisdom for our lives. The ending of Proverbs about the ideal wife and mother is just as true today and it was long ago.
What About the Anger And Guilt Dredged from the Past?
Some episodes can be extremely hurtful and discouraging, but what if they are the road to peace and calm? Even a step to all that one could hope?
The Good Shepherd is all of that - protecting us and guiding us to the still waters, driving away evil, resentment, and useless anger. We can say, "I know for a fact that the Savior will resolve this, the opposite of clenching our teeth or getting even or shunning as a punishment."
