A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 81:7

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 81:7 “In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.  Selah.”

Meditation

So, has all this waiting, Father, been my “testing at the waters of Meribah”?  If so, how did I do?

Have I been like the Israelite, freed from slavery and yet griping because I had no water or fresh vegetables?  Have I forgotten so soon how you freed my soul and are in the process of leading me to the Promised Land?  Have I been grousing because I had a little itch that you hadn’t scratched yet?

Or have I been like Moses, who struck the rock twice in a pique of anger?  Disobeying your clear instructions, he diminished your holiness in the eyes of the people. 

Oh, God, I fear I have been like them all.  I don’t deserve to go into the Promised Land.

“I know.  But Jesus paid for that, my daughter.  Come on Home.”

SELAH

Look up: Numbers 20:1-13

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 77:9

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 77:9  

“Has God forgotten to be merciful?  Has he in anger withheld his compassion? Selah”

Meditation

This sounds familiar!

How like me to judge you, God, according to my own past performance.  Because I may have withheld loving compassion for reasons too numerous to mention, I suspect that of you.

But you are not like me.  Your ways are not my ways.  Far from basing your love on my performance, your love is unconditional, your faithfulness unfailing.

You cherish your creation, so much so that you sent your only Son to suffer and die in payment for our sins. You crucified your own flesh and blood and, in Jesus, you freely give us all things—no strings attached!

If you would do that, how could I ever question your constant goodwill and love toward me?  Help me to be still . . . and wait for your perfect plan to unfold.

SELAH

Look up: Psalm 18:25-26; Isaiah 55:8-9; Ephesians 2:8-9;

John 3:16; Romans 5:10-11; Psalm 46:10

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 59:5

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 59:5 “O LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors.  Selah.”

Meditation:

Sounds like David has had a bellyful of wicked traitors!  He’s fed up! If you read I Samuel, you’ll see that he had good reason to be angry.  You’ll also see that he turned the evildoers over to God’s judgment. And it’s a good thing, too, for God (despite David’s plea) is known for showing mercy . . . more mercy than we who are quick to speak and quick to anger.

When I am angry with someone, I try to do as David did—give it to God.  I have found that he has a handle on working all things together for good.

If God seems slow in bringing judgment, it’s not because he is asleep, unaware, deaf, or uncaring.  Working things together for good takes time, especially where humans are involved.  Sometimes both parties need to address some issues—need to do some growing up—before attempts at reconciliation can be made.

As for mercy, God will decide who gets that.

SELAH

Look up: Lamentations 3:22-23; James 1:19-20; Ephesians 4:26; Romans 8:28; 12:17-20; Psalm 18:25-26 (KJV).