A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 82:1-2

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 82:1-2 “God presides in the great assembly; he gives judgment among the 'gods':  How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?”  Selah.

Meditation

We read the paper, watch the news, and have to ask, “What's happening in America that, under the guise of tolerance and freedom of speech, wickedness is approved?"  Our courts uphold the right to promote child pornography, physician-assisted suicide, abortion, homosexuality, and more. 

Why does God allow evil on this earth? I can't presume to answer that. However, in speaking of his own sin, David may have given us a clue in Psalm 51 when he said, "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge." 

When God judges . . . .

There’s a new day coming, and a higher court with God as presiding judge.  When he calls the great assembly to order, there will be a full-scale examination of the books.  The just will be vindicated; the unjust will be prosecuted to the full extent of God’s law.

In the meantime, hang on . . . and pray for those in authority over us, that they may have the wisdom of Solomon's court in exposing fruitless deeds of darkness.

SELAH

Look up: II Timothy 3:1-7; Psalm 51:4; Acts 5:29; I Timothy 2:1-2; Ephesians 5:11

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 50:3-6

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 50:3-6 “Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages. He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people; ‘Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.’ And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge. Selah.”

Meditation:

When Jesus, God the Son, came the first time, he came as a suffering servant, a lamb who opened not his mouth before his accusers. They mocked him. He was silent.

What could he say? Not guilty? When he knew he was going to die for the sins of the world? With our burden on his shoulders, he stood as guilty as ever one could be. Yet he bore our load of sin with grace and dignity, never retaliating, never threatening, all so that we could become reconciled to a righteous and holy God.

But when Jesus comes again, it will be a different story with a different ending. This time he will not come as a servant and he will not be silent. He will lead the armies of heaven, his eyes ablaze, a sharp sword proceeding out of his mouth. On his robe and on his thigh will be the name KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. At this coming, no one will question who he is.

SELAH

Look up: John 1:29; Isaiah 53:7; 1 Peter 2:21-23, Revelation 19:12-16

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 32:6-7

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 32:6-7 “Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.”

Meditation:

This is a pearl of warning. It’s as if God is telling us to climb aboard while we can. Judgment is coming, like the flood of Noah’s day. God had offered a means of escape in an ark of his own design, but most paid no mind. They drowned. Only Noah and his believing family found refuge and deliverance in that ark.

God promised never to flood the earth like that again. But he is coming to judge the living and the dead. As before, he has promised to be a hiding place for the godly, those who believe him.

So where are we? Where do we stand? You? Me? Is there any good reason not to believe what God has said?

God, my Father, I believe! Surround me with songs of deliverance. Make me like your servant Noah, unafraid and unashamed to proclaim the truth of your return.

SELAH

Look up: Genesis 6; 8:21-22; Deuteronomy 4:29; Psalm 46:1-3; Romans 2:5-10; Revelation 6:17; 11:18; 16:1; 19:15; 20:11-15; Romans 1:16; 2 Peter 3:9-10, Romans 10:14-15

A String of Selah Pearls (continued)

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 9:20 “Strike them with terror, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Selah”

Meditation:

Put them in their place, O LORD, these big-shot nations that have forgotten they are mere mortals.

God has given the nations a long leash. Like unruly dogs, they have pulled their tethers out as far as they will go—and strain against them. The Master holds tight. At any given moment, he can pull those tethers, reminding the unruly he is firmly in control.

It is only because God is patient and long-suffering that he has not yanked the nations back into line. But he will.

At the appointed time, when the heavens are full, resounding with praises for the Lamb that was slain, the nations will be brought to judgment. And they will see themselves for what they are—just a bunch of rebels who, like everyone else, put their pants on one leg at a time.

SELAH

Look up: Matthew 25:31-33, 46; Psalm 2:1-5; 110:5-6; Revelation 20:7-15