Psalm 4 Continued…
There is a side of this Psalm (and many others) that I don’t want to quickly skip over. That is, that we must remember that these were indeed songs to be sung. They were played to a certain type of instrument and a style that would be very foreign to most modern ears.
This Psalm and its link (Psalm 3), both utilize the Hebrew word ‘Selah’. This word is thought to be a note for musicians and singers. It is used 71 times throughout the Psalms. It seems to be a pause. For modern musicians, a fermata is what we would call it. These pauses are utilized over and over through the Psalms and even in the book of Habakkuk.
The point of the ‘Selah’ was for the singers to stop singing. Possibly the music would continue at that point. But then you would be able to, in that pause, reflect upon what was just said.
In our modern-day world, with iPhones and smart-watches and tablets and laptops and screens on every wall of every store, how often do we pause? How often do we reflect? Honestly, how often are we even able to hear the Word of God through the cacophony of the rush of modern life?
Selah was a note for musicians and singers in ancient times, but I think it is also an important note for you and me as well. There is a rhythm to life. God designed us in such a way, that we are supposed to have daily moments of pause, weekly moments of pause, and even more times of pause on a larger scale through different periods of our lives.
It is no great accomplishment to work oneself to death. We all die. But many are so busy, they have forgotten that God has desired for us to actually LIVE the life he has graciously given to us. I know so many people who seem to not be able to actually know how to slow down their pace.
That is a sign of living life out of rhythm. The rhythm of life lived in God’s design means you know and embrace times of pause and rest. That is what Sabbath was. Sabbath was the pause…it was the rest that God literally wove into the fabric of our existence. When we fail to have Sabbath rest, our lives are not being lived in abundance nor are they being lived to the fullest. In fact, it is living in rebellion.
You are not accomplishing anything good, if all you have done is wear yourself out by ignoring the good design of God, asking you to Selah, to pause, to reflect on what He has said to you through His Word. To literally, Sabbath with and in Him.
PRAY
Father God, I repent today of ignoring your design for me. Help me to have Selah. To Sabbath rest in you. Even in small moments throughout this day.