/ˈsiːlə/
From the Hebrew word selāh (סֶלָה), which is of uncertain original meaning. Scholars suggest it comes from a root meaning "to lift up, exalt" or "to pause." It appears over 70 times in the Psalms and three times in Habakkuk.
Selah is a liturgical or musical mark used in ancient Hebrew poetry, especially the Psalms. While its precise function is not known for certain, it is widely believed to indicate a pause or an interlude in the song. This pause was likely intended for the congregation to reflect on the words just sung, or for a musical flourish by the instruments. It serves as a call to stop, listen, consider, and exalt the Lord.
This word is not defined in Webster's 1828 American Dictionary, as its precise meaning was and remains a subject of scholarly study rather than common usage.
In modern times, Selah is often either completely ignored when reading the Psalms or treated as a mystical, indecipherable word. In some Christian subcultures, it is used colloquially as a standalone word to add a sense of profundity to a statement, akin to "Amen," but often without a true understanding of its probable function as a reflective pause in worship.