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Psalm 3 · a question people ask

What does "Selah" mean?

In the text

The WEB keeps the Hebrew word as it is, and Psalm 3:2 is the first verse in the WEB to have it. This psalm has it three times, each at the end of a verse (3:2, 3:4, 3:8) (tap Selah). The lexicons explain it differently: Strong's gives it as "suspension (of music), i.e. pause", and Brown-Driver-Briggs connects it with "lift up, or exalt". The psalm itself doesn't explain it, and these notes don't say more than the lexicons do.

The verses

“Many there are who say of my soul, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah.”
Psalm 3:2 · World English Bible
“I cry to the LORD with my voice, and he answers me out of his holy hill. Selah.”
Psalm 3:4 · World English Bible
“Salvation belongs to the LORD. May your blessing be on your people. Selah.”
Psalm 3:8 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 3

Psalm 3: A shield around me

The many say, "There is no help for him in God" (3:2), and the psalm's last verse answers them: "Salvation belongs to the LORD" (3:8). In Hebrew help and Salvation are one word, yeshu'ah. And the verb of the many who "rise up" (3:1) is the verb of the psalmist's "Arise, LORD!" (3:7).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions