“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…” – Colossians 3:16 (NKJV)
The Book of Psalms is a very powerful book. It contains a significant number of prayers, including prayers of deliverance, repentance, guidance, protection, imprecation, thanksgiving, adoration and praise, declaration, etc. Many people, whether Christians or not, know about these prayers and recite verses and even chapters of many of these Psalms.
As a child, I learnt to read from reading the Psalms. They were my grandmother’s favourite books. Every single time we met for devotion, we (other members of the household) had to read various verses and sometimes even chapters. I remember her saying aloud and with much emphasis and passion the word “Selah.” We often had to wait for her to say “continue reading” because there was always a pause whenever that word was mentioned.
I did not know the meaning of the word then, but found it funny, only to realise later that ‘Selah’ is widely thought to be a musical or liturgical instruction highlighting an interlude, a pause for reflection, or a call to lift voices in praise. The word “Selah” appears in thirty-nine different Psalms and is mentioned seventy-one times in the entire Book. It calls for a consistent pause and allowing that truth to sink in.
So what was my grandmother doing? Allowing the truth of God‘s Word to sink in. I still remember it in my adulthood.
Today, whatever your situation. Pause and read God’s Word; allow His truth to touch you to the core of your soul as you follow Him obediently. Seek Him out in prayer!
Read: Jonah 2:6; Habakkuk 3:9
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 111; Ephesians 3; Isaiah 57:14-21; Isaiah 58; Isaiah 59