Selah

  • Thread starter Thread starter David_Vestal
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
notes in my bible say this and similar words at the end of psalm verses are directions to the musicians or singers, since these were originally composed to be sung in liturgy, but the literal meanings have been lost in time.
 
Yes, like a cue for the musicians to play. Remember that the psalms are hymns to be sung. That is why every Sunday mass in the Catholic Church includes a responsorial psalm that is sung.

Paul
 
what is the translation of alleluia, and there is no trans for Selah??? I ask because this guy is trying to convince me that God’s name IS Alla, that Alleluia is actually Halleuia but the H is silent, and that in Psalms Selah, well the S is silent and u can see what he is getting at,thoughts? What IS God’s name??? The name in the Bible that He gave us??
 
It was more than likely a sign for a liturgical action, like an antiphon or some kind of response. ALL of the psalms were sung - that’s what “psalm” means.

Your friend is mistaken on his etymology of alleluia and selah, I believe.
 
David_Vestal said:
what is the translation of alleluia, and there is no trans for Selah??? I ask because this guy is trying to convince me that God’s name IS Alla, that Alleluia is actually Halleuia but the H is silent, and that in Psalms Selah, well the S is silent and u can see what he is getting at,thoughts? What IS God’s name??? The name in the Bible that He gave us??
Click to expand...
perhaps this may help:

alleluia = “hallel” + “YAH” = literally “Praise the L-rd”

Halleluia has nothing to do with Allah. YAH comes from the name for G-d (YHWH) given to the Israelites (Exodus 6:3). The Hebrew has no vowels, so the exact pronunciation is not known, but it often translated “Jehovah” in the Christian Bibles.

As as been stated on previous posts, “selah” is thought to be a sort of musical notation. It can also be translated “pause / meditate on that”.

In any event, neither Selah nor Alleluia have anything to do with the name of Allah.

shalom
 
Selah is a transliterated Hebrew expression found frequently in the Psalms and also appearing in Habakkuk chapter 3. Although it is generally thought to be a technical term for music or recitation, its exact significance is unknown. It is held by some to mean a “pause, suspension, or holding back,” either of the singing of the psalm for a musical interlude or of both singing and instrumental music for silent meditation. In either event, the pause was doubtless used to make the fact or sentiment just expressed more impressive, to allow the full import of the last utterance to sink in. The Greek Septuagint rendering of Selah is di•a´psal•ma, defined as “a musical interlude.” Selah always appears at the end of a clause and generally at the end of a strophe, every occurrence being in a song containing some kind of musical direction or expression. In Psalm 9:16 it is accompanied by “Higgaion,” there understood by some to be associated with the music of the harp.

Hallelujah: Many people have heard this term, but few know what it means. What comes to your mind when you hear the term “Hallelujah”? Perhaps it reminds you of Handel’s “Messiah,” a musical masterpiece from the 1700’s that features the dramatic Hallelujah chorus. Or you may think of the famous American patriotic song “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” also known as “Glory, Hallelujah.” Surely, from one source or another, you have heard the word “Hallelujah.” Perhaps you even use it from time to time.

Hallelujah is the English transliteration of the Hebrew expression ha•lelu-Yah´, meaning “praise Jah,” or “praise Jah, you people.”

Jah is a poetic shortened form of the name of God, Jehovah. It appears in the Bible more than 50 times, often as part of the expression “Hallelujah.”

Hallelujah is well-known to most churchgoers. Some of them shout it out loud in their Sunday services. How many, though, know what the word really means? In fact, it is Hebrew for “Praise Jah!” It is a joyful, ringing acclamation of the Creator, whose name is Jehovah.

The word “Hallelujah” appears frequently in the Bible because there are so many reasons to praise God.

Jah (Jehovah) is the Creator and Sustainer of the vast universe. (Psalm 147:4, 5; 148:3-6)

He originated the ecosystems that make life on earth possible. (Psalm 147:8, 9; 148:7-10)

And he takes a special interest in mankind. If we do his will, he blesses and supports us in this life and offers us the certain hope of an even better life to come. (Psalm 148:11-14)

It is Jah (Jehovah) who inspired the words: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”—Psalm 37:29.

Hence, the exhortation is directed to all: “Hallelujah!” “Praise Jah, you people!” (Psalm 104:35)
 
I tried plugging in Selah into some translators online and it comes back unable to have a translation or nothing found.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top