SELAH.

A word frequently found in the Book of Psalms, and also in Hab. 3:9, 13, about seventy-four times in all in Scripture. Its meaning is doubtful. Some interpret it as meaning “silence” or “pause;” others, “end,” “a louder strain,” “piano,” etc. The LXX. render the word by daplasma i.e., “a division.”

This word, which is found only in the poetical books of the Old Testament, occurs seventy-one times in the Psalms and three times in Habakkuk. It is probably a term which had a meaning in the musical nomenclature of the Hebrews, though what that meaning may have been is now a matter of pure conjecture. (Gesenius and Ewald and others think it has much the same meaning as our interlude,—a pause in the voices singing, while the instruments perform alone.)

SE'LAH. Hab 3:3, Gal 1:9, 2 Kgs 11:13. This is a musical term, and occurs seventy-one times in thirty-nine Psalms, also in Hab 3:3, Gal 1:9, 2 Kgs 11:13 - in all, therefore, seventy-four times in the Bible. The most probable definition of it is that it "directs the falling-in of the sound of the priests' trumpets into the Levites' psalm-singing and playing on stringed instruments. It occurs, therefore, where very warm emotions have been expressed." "Higgaion," joined with "Selah," Ps 9:16, some render "a louder strain," others, "piano." We know nothing definite about it. See Marginal Reading.

the end; a pause

SE'LAH. Hab 3:3, Gal 1:9, 2 Kgs 11:13. This is a musical term, and occurs seventy-one times in thirty-nine Psalms, also in Hab 3:3, Gal 1:9, 2 Kgs 11:13 - in all, therefore, seventy-four times in the Bible. The most probable definition of it is that it "directs the falling-in of the sound of the priests' trumpets into the Levites' psalm-singing and playing on stringed instruments. It occurs, therefore, where very warm emotions have been expressed." "Higgaion," joined with "Selah," Ps 9:16, some render "a louder strain," others, "piano." We know nothing definite about it. See Marginal Reading.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

A word of doubtful meaning, occuring frequently in the Psalms; by some, supposed to signify silence or a pause in the musical performance of the song. Beyond the fact that Selach is a musical term, we know absolutely nothing about it. Dr. W. Smith (Bib. Dict.)