Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is Psalms Wednesday, and we’ll read Psalms 3-5. I’ll give you a brief introduction to each Psalm before reading them, and after, I’ve got some comments. I’m calling the show “Say What?”. 

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Nico Smit on Unsplash

Comments on Psalms 3-5

Selah is a word that is most found in the book of Psalms. The only other book it appears in is Habakkuk…three times. Here in Psalms…71 times. But what does it mean?

I would love to give you a definite definition, but the truth is that we don’t know! But here’s what scholars surmise.

The Hebrew word calah seems to be related to selah, and it means “to hang” or “to measure or weigh in the balances.” Job says, when speaking of wisdom, “The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold” (Job 28:19). The word translated “valued” in that sentence is the Hebrew word calah. Job is saying that wisdom is beyond comparing even with jewels, and when weighed in the balance against wisdom, the finest jewels cannot equal its value.

Another thought about the meaning of selah is that it comes from two Hebrew words: s_lah, which means “to praise”, and s_lal, which means “to lift up”.

And another idea is that selah comes from the Hebrew salah, which means “to pause”. The Psalms were written as songs, so perhaps this is a musical notation which told the musicians to pause. Maybe to take a breath. Maybe to sing a cappella. Maybe for an instrumental interlude. Could be they were to stop and praise God and/or lift their hands in worship. If this interpretation is true, all of the mentioned meanings combined would make perfect sense. 

Interestingly, the Amplified Bible adds “pause and calmly think about that” when the word selah appears. 

So when we see the word as we are reading the Bible, we should stop and meditate on what we have just read, lifting our hearts to praise God. Selah!

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 3-5 HCSB

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Transcript

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Psalms 3-5: Say What? (LSFAB S13E011)

[TEASER - 00:00]Pause and calmly think about that.

[INTRO S13E011 - 00:10]This is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, and podcasting since 2004, I'm your OG podcaster, Steve Webb. This is the Daily podcast where we'll read through the entire Bible in a year. How are you? Welcome. Today is Psalms Wednesday, and we'll read Psalms 3 through 5.

I'll give you a brief introduction to each Psalm before I read it, and after, I've got some comments, I'm calling the show, "Say What?" But before we read, let's pray.

[OPENING PRAYER - 00:39]Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word and we ask that you bless our reading today. Open our hearts and our understanding, Lord. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Are you ready? Let's go.

[INTRO TO PSALM 3 - 00:54]Many of the Psalms have a title with Psalm 3 here being the first. It's important to note that when a title appears in a Psalm, that title is actually in the Hebrew text. With that in mind, commentator James Montgomery Boice wrote, "They are to be taken with absolute seriousness throughout."

You may have noticed that some Bibles have headings for sections of the chapters. As an example, in the King James, Matthew 4, verses 1 through 11 have a heading that says "His Temptation". Verses 12 through 17 have the heading "His Work in Galilee". And verses 18 through 22 have the heading "His First Disciples", and so on. Those headings are put there by the publisher in most cases, and they're not in the original text. So when a title is shown for one of the Psalms...