The word that I frequently use at the conclusion of my blogs is, as most of you will already know, found repeatedly in the Psalms. Throughout my sabbatical I've been doing some reflecting on the Psalms and I am now returning, both to work, and a piece of writing, collating and revising the many responsive paraphrases of the Psalms I have done over the years, and part of that has involved thinking how to "translate" this word. Most modern translations have given up trying to translate it as its meaning is uncertain. The consensus is that it is a musical direction of some kind. Some have suggested that it is derived from a word meaning "lift up", though there is no agreement on what the reader is being encouraged to elevate! The majority opinion, however, seems to be that it is the equivalent of a musical rest, a pause for reflection, and that is the sense I have opted for, using the phrase "And breathe" (which as some 4 Corners veterans will know has a special resonance for me...). But as I was thinking this through, this piece emerged.
What does this marginal word mean?
This repeated one word refrain
in the song book of God?
Is this word itself a space
into which we can pour meaning?
Does.it encourage us to elevate
our voices in pitch or volume?
Or take a moment to retune our harps?
Or lift our eyes and hearts and minds
to a higher, as of yet unseen plane.
Or is it simply a short verbal sabbath;
A musical rest, lest in the midst
of praise, petition and lament,
the wave of words should overwhelm
the very purpose of prayer.
Stop seeking meaning.
Simply breathe.
Selah.
Selah
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