About Me...

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SELAH is not just any ole word to me.  It's a lifelong reminder of my reliance on God and the rest and peace that HE GIVES!

WHY NAME MY BUSINESS SELAH MUSIC STUDIO?

THE ETYMOLOGY - Where this special word is derived from

THE MEANING - Historically from the Bible and found 74 times in the Book of Psalms it's mentioned 71 of those times across 39 different psalms, & my favorite verse, Psalm 32:7 "You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance."

 Listed 3 times only in the Book of Habakkuk. 

• Psalms is, of course, the book of poetry and lyrics of the first two sections of Psalms. It usually sits at the end of a verse or line, though it occasionally appears mid-verse.
• The Book of Habakkuk holds the word "Selah" exclusively in Chapter 3, which is a poetic prayer or song of the prophet Habakkuk.

There are different opinions and scholarly views on the definition. Whatever the true intended meaning, I love the description of both:

1. Musical Notation: Many scholars think it served as a cue for musicians or singers to take a pause, increase volume, or let instruments play an interlude alone. The word is always found within a song, psalm, or prayer. 
2. Pause and Reflect: A very common devotional interpretation views it as an instruction for the reader or listener to stop, reflect, and weigh the spiritual truth just spoken. 

Of the 39 psalms that include it, nearly all have the phrase "to the choirmaster" at the beginning. We can conclude by this, "Selah" is a musical term. Scholars have opined it is simply a musical notation such as a signal to change keys, sustain a note, repeat a phrase, or increase in volume. 

It could also be an instruction to the singers or the instrumentalists. However, the most common interpretation, and why I chose early on in my music career to use it on my personalized license plates of my first brand new car and still hold that license message today, as a reminder to take a pause, a time of reflection on what was just sung. More than that, it offers a moment for contemplation. Taking time to "smell the roses". It's a moment of waiting or resting, breaking, or giving added breath in the midst of a verse, or chorus - better yet - a sabbatical. It's a speed bump along the path of lament, thanksgiving, or celebration that forces us to SLOW DOWN, REST, AND CONSIDER. An opportunity to meditate and reflect on what was just spoken, sung, or expressed through poetry and lyric. If I may, I'd like to go one step further and offer a transliteration bearing meaning on life itself, not just in the world of music, although this theme is perfectly complete enough for my liking in reference to my life's calling.  However, this mysterious word could coax us into a thoughtful mindset, taking a sincere approach to life and its overwhelming speed of time passing us by. 

Think about it. Maybe you don't need reminders like I do, but how many times have you sung a song in church or read a familiar passage of Scripture and halfway through forgot what you sang or read?  Have you ever listened to a meaningful passage of poetry or the moving lyrics to a song you sincerely felt you might just cry after hearing and maybe the hairs on your arm stood tall because it had that much of an impact and meaning to you on a deep level and you went straight to your phone to download it so you could listen again and again and memorize every note, and lyric, pause, and breath. Your mouth can get the words right, but your mind and heart are elsewhere. Or, have you ever had a moment in a corporate gathering that you felt a little worn out from all the singing, or relating to life, you may get to a place that you struggle to see the color or blessings around you because things have just gone so fast and furious, you forgot to slow down, take a minute, catch your breath, or sit and ponder the words of the song or the meaning of life.

Relating to music, we can experience the most chaotic works composed by the most creative and imaginative minds of composers and musicians from the ancient days of old to the newest era of magnificent orchestrations. Through ebbs and flows, highs and lows, chorus and verse, or waiting for the notes to disburse or lead you to experience the SILENCE. "Caesuras", another name for silence in music describes the pauses that make a dramatic break. Like the meaning of "SELAH", this describes long pauses in music where the beat disappears - then ... SILENCE. 

My reminder, "Selah", goes with me on my car, and has a purpose to me. My soul longs for "Selah" moments. My music ministry has motivated me to live by that motto, although not often enough. I can find myself restless and distracted from the abundance of input in this world. To take that brief or desperately needed pause, steal away to a quiet place, meditate on meaning and purpose on a deeper level, and be willing to slow down, rest, and consider - reflecting on the most important people and moments in life, love, song, lyric, beauty, and MUSIC!

To draw to a close, I cherish my God-given gifts of voice and teaching, to have the opportunity to bring piano and vocal education to future generations. May they find the rest and respite they desire within the notes, the melodies, the verses, and the chords that create THE SONG. SELAH