A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 140:5

Positioned gracefully across the Book of Psalms is a string of seventy-one pearls, lovely beads of wisdom followed by the admonition SELAH which means, “Pause, think on these things, meditate.”

Psalm 140:5 “Proud men have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path.  Selah.”

Meditation

David’s plight reminds me of soldiers walking through enemy fields that have been booby-trapped with land mines.  Even though the soldiers know the traps are there, they don’t know the exact locations.  Every step represents possible disaster.

In the civilian world, raising children is fraught with danger.  As parents, our aim is to help them navigate the adolescent years to emerge as solid citizens and leaders of positive enterprises.  We know the landmines of peer pressure and temptation are there, but not exactly where.

Besides admitting our helplessness, there’s only one thing to be done in situations like these—turn to God. And that’s exactly what David does in the next Selah pearl. 

SELAH

Look up: Psalm 73:25-28; Proverbs 3:5-6

  

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 140:1-3

Positioned gracefully across the Book of Psalms is a string of seventy-one pearls, lovely beads of wisdom followed by the admonition SELAH which means, “Pause, think on these things, meditate.”   

Psalm 140:1-3 “Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; protect me from men of violence, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.  They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips.  Selah.”

Meditation

Under siege again! 

I need to remember that David was a man of war and in constant danger from those who would usurp his throne. 

I don’t have a throne.  But I do experience attacks from an unseen enemy trying to usurp God’s throne in my heart.  With his serpent tongue, he challenges God’s subject, “Did God really say that?  Is God really good to you?  Is he trustworthy in all your problems?  Why do you turn to him?  Why don’t you choose my way?  Why not see how pleasurable sin is?” 

The poison of vipers is whispered daily in the ears of believers, tempting us to betray our King. 

As God’s people, all of us are under siege—again, and again!

SELAH

Look up: Genesis 3:1-7; Ephesians 6:11-12; I Peter 5:8

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 89:48

Positioned gracefully across the Book of Psalms is a string of seventy-one pearls, lovely beads of wisdom followed by the admonition SELAH which means, “Pause, think on these things, meditate.”   

Psalm 89:48 “What man can live and not see death, or save himself from the power of the grave?  Selah.”

Meditation

I don’t have any difficulty answering this fundamental question:  I will die and I cannot save myself from the power of the grave. This is not a painful admission since I have reason to believe that life continues after death. 

While I haven’t had a personal, first-hand experience of dying and living beyond the grave, someone I trust has.  It’s his story that I believe.  It’s in Christ that I have faith.  He saved himself and he will save me.  So, what’s the problem?

To die and go to heaven sounds like a far better deal than to stay here and suffer the inequities of life on earth.  It’s simply a matter of time . . . God’s timing, not mine. 

SELAH

Look up: Mark 16:12-14; Luke 24; Acts 1:3-9; Philippians 1:21

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 89:45

Positioned gracefully across the Book of Psalms is a string of seventy-one pearls, lovely beads of wisdom followed by the admonition SELAH which means, “Pause, think on these things, meditate.”   

Psalm 89:45 “You have cut short the days of his youth; you have covered him with a mantle of shame.  Selah.”

Meditation

I remember feeling “old before my time.”  When my dear Aunt Virginia lay dying on a hospital bed in our home, my activities included bathing her, emptying her bedpan, swabbing her mouth, rubbing her hands and feet, singing to her, praying over her.  All the while, my heart was breaking over the loss of this woman who had been so dear to me.  I felt old.

Inwardly, I rebelled at the very idea of dying.  Why, God?  Why must it be so?  Why have you cut short the days of Auntie’s life?  Why are you cutting short the days of my youth?  Where are you when I need you?  Why am I so sad?

At times like this, it’s good to remember that Jesus feels our pain.  He also experienced the loss of loved ones.  He wept.  For that matter, why did the skies blacken prior to Jesus’ death?  Was the Father weeping in cosmic pain, a pain we cannot even imagine?

Ever faithful to his Name and to his Word, God remains committed to redeem mankind from our fallen state. His Holy Spirit walks with us through our days and our predicaments.  (That must be painful, at times, for him!)  Father, Son and Holy Spirit, they know our pain, intimately.

SELAH

Look up:John 11:32-35; Luke 23:44-45; Hebrews 13:5;

Jeremiah 29:11

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 89:35-37

Positioned gracefully across the Book of Psalms is a string of seventy-one pearls, lovely beads of wisdom followed by the admonition SELAH which means, “Pause, think on these things, meditate.”   

Psalm 89:35-37  “‘Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness—and I will not lie to David—that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun; it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky’  Selah.”

Meditation

When camping in the deep woods, I was always glad for clear, bright nights.  That giant yellow lamp in the black sky produced a reassuring glow around our campsite that was especially comforting if a night trip was needed.

This pearl testifies to the moon being “the faithful witness in the sky.” Proclaiming the glory of God throughout man’s history, the moon is a faithful picture of Jesus, the light of the world, shining in darkness, giving direction and reassurance.

Interestingly, in heaven there will be no need for the moon or the sun “for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”  With the blackness of sin removed and the glory of God revealed, Heaven will be a very bright place indeed. 

SELAH

Look up: Hebrews 6:13; Titus 1:2; Psalm 19:1; Ecclesiastes 1:5; Genesis 8:22; John 1:9; Revelation 21:23

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 89:3-4

Positioned gracefully across the Book of Psalms is a string of seventy-one pearls, lovely beads of wisdom followed by the admonition SELAH which means, “Pause, think on these things, meditate.”   

Psalm 89:3-4 “You said, ‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’ Selah.”

Meditation

God is a promise keeper. 

He kept his promise to King David through the birth of baby Jesus, the son of Mary of the house of David. 

Though Jesus’ kingdom was not of this earth, he does reign in the hearts of those who believe in him. And when his kingdom does come, his will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Jesus’ throne is firm through all generations.    

God also promised that anyone who believes in Jesus will have eternal life and will reign with him.  I don’t know what God will have me doing, but I do know I’ll be reigning with Jesus . . . the Promised One  . . . King of Kings . . . Lord of Lords . . . my Brother. 

God is a promise keeper.

SELAH

Look up: Matthew 6:10; John 3:16; II Corinthians 1:20; Romans 8:29; I Thessalonians 5:24; Revelation 22:5