Positioned gracefully across the Book of Psalms is a string of seventy-one pearls, lovely beads of wisdom followed by the admonition SELAH. Most scholars believe SELAH is a musical notation which in Hebrew might have meant, “Pause. . . think on these things ... meditate.”
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Psalm 3:1-2 “O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’ Selah.”
King David, the author of this psalm, had many foes including his predecessor King Saul and even his own son, the wannabe king Absalom. Their cruel and treacherous actions caused David much pain and anguish.
Perhaps we, too, have suffered at the hands of others, even those close to us. Perhaps we’ve felt alone and oppressed to the point of wondering how a loving heavenly Father could allow us to suffer like this. If so, let’s learn from David, the “man after God’s own heart.”
David didn’t listen to his enemies. Instead, he turned directly to the God he’d always found faithful and poured out his heart. We can do that, too. God is ever near. His ears are attentive to our cry.*
This pearl reminds us that the very same God who delivered David from his enemies can also deliver us from ours. Take heart. Turn to him in faith, believing.**
SELAH PEARL: GOD WILL DELIVER US.
"Father God, I cry out to you for relief. Deliver me from those who set themselves against me with bitterness and sarcasm, gossip, and even physical threats. I need you to help me, comfort me, and protect me. I commit myself to you in Jesus’ name. Amen."
* “…The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people….” (1 Samuel 13:14).
** “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry” (Psalm 34:15).