According to gotquestions.org, the word “selah” appears in the Psalms 71 times. Theologians argue about the exact definition and origin of this word. Something about the way this word sounds is so beautiful. It sounds like breath. Breath is life.

Some theologians will say this word means pause. Some will say it means praise. When I come across it in the Psalms, I find myself simply taking a breath. I find myself pausing in the middle of the praise. 

Look at Psalm 66. The word appears after verses 4, 7 and 15. As you read Psalm 66, it is full of praise. As the author is praising, it feels like he needs to take a breath and just bask in the goodness of God. That breath, that selah, is well placed. It reminds me of the joy I feel when pausing, praising, and letting God’s goodness wash over me.

Other times, a selah is needed to catch our breath when times are hard. Check out Psalm 4. It is like the reader is being told, “I see your anger. You need to go take a breather. Go make sure your heart is right.” It’s almost like when we tell our kids to go to their room and calm down. Psalm 4 actually tells the reader to go to bed. The well-placed selah after verse 4, let’s the reader do just that!

2025 Bible Study

I am excited for our 2025 Bible study here at Proverbs3Three called Selah Moments: Pausing with Purpose in the Psalms. As we read the Psalms, we will look for the selah moments. Take your time. Don’t rush through all God has for you in this year-long dive into the Psalms.

As we launch our third year-long study, this one will have some similarities to previous studies and some differences.

Similarities:

• We will create community in our Facebook group. (Note: the name of this Facebook group will be changing near the end of December, as we wrap up our 2024 study. Go ahead and make sure you are connected, so you can start meeting others in this group).
• You will find accountability by reading along with the pacing guide provided. Did you download the 2025 reading plan yet?
• You will be encouraged to make the study your own. We all have different learning styles. Some enjoy podcasts, some prefer written commentaries, and some prefer other digital resources. The “how” is less important than the consistency of being in your Bible every day!

Differences:

• With the 2023 and 2024 studies, we followed a plan created by another publisher. These studies were fantastic; however, our work in the Psalms this year will follow a study created and curated by Proverbs3Three. You can download a FREE 65+ page guide here!
• The flexibility of this study will allow you to pull in the resources, tools, and study methods that best align with your learning, worship, and study preferences.

As you get ready for January 1, go ahead and read some of the intro materials in the study guide. Start gathering the supplies, online resources, journals, and other materials you plan to use. Also, give yourself freedom and flexibility to change how you are studying if you find something doesn’t work for you.

Developing a Rhythm of Study

While I know my study rhythm will most likely change throughout the year, I am finding this rhythm to get me started:

1 – Read the Psalm 

A cold read of the Psalm helps me to start wrapping my head around the text and gives me some context as I prepare to go a bit deeper. I have decided to use this spiral journaling Bible for my cold read. This Bible has space for journaling, which I plan to do throughout my study! I plan to use the Uni Pin Fine Liners and Mildliner Highlighters. Those highlighters come in the best colors!

2 – Write the Psalm 

Over the years, I have gone back and forth with writing scripture. As you all know, I love pens and journals, and I have found that hand lettering makes me meditate on God’s Word more fully. This year, I have decided to write out every single Psalm. If you want to join me on this journey, there is a pacing guide in the back of the downloadable study guide. Of course, a writing journey calls for some new supplies:

• Karst Stone Paper Journal – I got this journal for my birthday last summer. The paper is so smooth! It is so different from a regular journal! I believe they are sold at Barnes and Noble, and they are kind of like these.
• Pilot Juice Up Pens – Of course a new journal means I needed new pens. A stone paper journal requires special pens, and these are perfect!
• Uni Pin – I also found that this brush pen and fine liner pen are perfect when I need a little bit bolder writing utensil. They work on the stone paper, but they will smear if you don’t give them a minute. They also work perfectly in the spiral journaling Bible!

3 – Read a Commentary 

I discovered Christopher Ash last summer. He devoted his entire life’s work to studying the Psalms, and he recently released this commentary set. While the writing is more academic (i.e. above my head at times) than what I usually read, it is fantastic! It is helping me to connect each Psalm with Jesus and see how the narrative of the Psalms is truly the narrative of the gospel. 

4 – Reflect 

Finally, I am using the study guide to reflect on my learning in the Psalms. The study guide has some basic information about each Psalm, but it also links to study questions and space for small reflection. The guide is proving to be a great way to summarize my learning.

Granted, my process of reading, writing, reading (again), and reflecting may work for you. You may find other resources to plug into your rhythm of study. If you do, please share them in our Facebook group! 

If you’ve been around here too long, you also know that I would encourage you to use what you have. While I listed some fun, new supplies that I plan to use, you do not need anything more than your Bible and the free downloadable resources to join us along this study. God’s Word tells us we will encounter the Lord when we seek him whole-heartedly. He does NOT say that we will find him when we get a new journal, pen, and Bible.

Open His Word. Enjoy your time with HIM! Let your study be worship. Let the words of scripture be the language of your prayers.

My hope is that throughout 2025, we grow deeper in love with our Creator, we get to know Him better, and we allow his Word to truly define who we are.