This expression is found in the Psalms seventy-four times, and
thrice in the Prophet Habakkuk. The interpreters Symmachus and
Theodotion generally translate _selah_ by _diapsalma_, which signifies
“a rest” or “pause” in singing. Jerom and Aquila translate it “for
ever.” Some moderns pretend that _selah_ has no signification, and that
it is only a note of the ancient music, whose use is no longer known;
and, indeed, _selah_ may be taken away from all the places where it is
found without interrupting the sense of the psalm. Calmet says it
intimates the end, or a pause, and that is its proper signification; but
as it is not always found at the conclusion of the sense, or of the
psalm or song, so it is highly probable the ancient musicians put
_selah_ in the margin of their psalters, to show where a musical pause
was to be made, or where the tune ended.
thrice in the Prophet Habakkuk. The interpreters Symmachus and
Theodotion generally translate _selah_ by _diapsalma_, which signifies
“a rest” or “pause” in singing. Jerom and Aquila translate it “for
ever.” Some moderns pretend that _selah_ has no signification, and that
it is only a note of the ancient music, whose use is no longer known;
and, indeed, _selah_ may be taken away from all the places where it is
found without interrupting the sense of the psalm. Calmet says it
intimates the end, or a pause, and that is its proper signification; but
as it is not always found at the conclusion of the sense, or of the
psalm or song, so it is highly probable the ancient musicians put
_selah_ in the margin of their psalters, to show where a musical pause
was to be made, or where the tune ended.