“Selah”

Mal Watlington

Readings for February 20, 2024: Reflecting on the First Sunday in Lent

When reading Psalm 77, a prayer for God to remember us, three long passages of lyrical, commonly used words close with an ancient and unfamiliar word, Selah. In the first instance, this unique word is placed at the end of the text “I think of God, and I moan; I meditate, and my spirit faints. Selah”   

 Some commentators think that Selah meant 'to pause' or 'to reflect', a request for the reader or listener to pause and think about what has just been said. Other scriptural scholars have a slightly different (but not actually conflicting) interpretation that Selah was a space for voices to pause and for instruments play alone (musical direction).     

 As we move into Lent, are we not also given an opportunity to pause, and reflect . . . a time to pray and consider our way forward? Just as Jesus did. [Mark 1:12 “At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days . . .”].  

 It is no coincidence that Lent, like Jesus’ time in the wilderness, is 40 days (excluding the Sundays). We are told that the use of “40 days” in scripture indicates a time of testing, trial, penance, purification, and renewal.  

 Many of us choose to set up personal tests, perhaps giving up something that we normally desire, in the hope of approaching the holy week before Easter with a clean and renewed heart. 

But is this necessary? Are we too caught up in the doing (or not doing) and distracted from the command of Selah. 

 Perhaps we cannot see or appreciate the gift of Lent. I know that I’m often caught up in the need to be “meaningfully busy.” And this allows me to avoid the real test, the real discomfort of facing God, and becoming open to the way that is truly outside of me.  

 I look for signs, but like the people following Moses, the way is often a mystery. “Your way was through the sea, your path, through the mighty waters; yet your footprints were unseen.”  

 My Lenten prayer is that I will pause and be open to what You, Lord wish to reveal. 

 Selah.