“But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgement.”
Psalm 9:7
Gleaning new manna for today is always a blessing! As I read certain passages in the Bible during my morning devotion new threads of understanding emerge. I noticed it particularly during a recent woman’s Bible study of the book of Ecclesiastes. Most are familiar with the passage in Ecclesiastes in 3:1. “To everything there is season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” There is much wisdom in that statement alone. Ecclesiastes expounds on that passage further in Chapter 3. However, as I studied Ecclesiastes, several other passages resonated with me. My understanding and enlightenment became deeper. Solomon’s wisdom was relatable and applicable to everything in “this” season. Ecclesiastes defined the time and purpose for us under heaven. New manna for today… for today’s season of life.
I accredit this greater understanding to three main components. First, the Holy Spirit brings enlightenment of God’s Word. We prayerfully open with that request each time we meet to study God’s Word. Second, a group offers different individual perspectives to share and discuss. Thirdly, the age and stage of life that I was in was close to Solomon’s age when he wrote Ecclesiastes. I had more life experience to be able to relate more fully to the wisdom found in his writings.
Psalm 9:16
This morning a similar situation happened as I was reading in the book of Psalms. I honestly love it when a passage sparks my curiosity to dig a little deeper, to search out a meaning a little further, and to glean a new nugget of manna from God’s Word. Let me share it with you.
My husband and I have set aside time each morning to pray concerning different issues, read the Bible, and study using different Bible translations. I use a King James Version that was gifted to me many years ago by my oldest sister and my mother. It is my most favorite Bible. My husband uses The Living Bible which was given to him by his grandmother when he was thirteen. He is now on his second copy of that translation. The Living Bible translation is paraphrased in more modern speech. This translation can, at times, clarify a certain verse making it more relatable where the King James Version passage is not. But this day neither could define the word Haggaion.
“The Lord is known by the judgement which He executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.”
Psalm 9:16 (KJV)
Selah And Higgaion Defined
As we read the ninth chapter of Psalms, verse 16 ended with, “Higgaion. Selah.” We have known “Selah” to mean: “take a pause” and “measure and weigh the wisdom” and even “meditate on.” We took the extra time to research the meaning of Higgaion. This is where our research led us and the daily manna that we gleaned.
The Book of Psalms had several contributing authors. Abraham, Moses, and King David are a few of the more popular contributors. Psalms is a collection of poetry utilized by singing the verses as songs with the accompaniment of musical instruments for worship. King David wrote over seventy of the Psalms. Psalm 9:16 was penned by David who also is known for skillfully playing the harp.
The website biblestudytools.com defines Higgaion like this: “It is a musical sign, denoting probably a pause in the instrumental interlude.” Another definition can be found in biblesprout.com to say, “In Psalm 9:16 the word is combined with Selah, which means a pause of unusual duration and solemnity.” A final definition for the word Higgaion found at hermeneutics.stackexchange.com states it this way: “A technical term of music direction. As used in Psalm 9:16, the word may signify either a solemn, deep-toned harp interlude, or a solemn pause conducive to meditation.” In other words, take time to intently contemplate the meaning of this psalm. There is a seriousness to the message being conveyed. Don’t rush past it! Apply this manna to your life.
Finally, The Manna Gleaned!
We combined the definitions of Higgaion and Selah to mean….stop, take a long hard look of unusual duration. Search your heart deeply. See whether any wickedness can be found in you that could bring God’s judgement. There are promises of both judgement and blessings listed in Psalm 9. David wrote this psalm to encourage us to remember God’s goodness, power, and that He is the eternal judge. God’s throne will endure forever. David’s psalm reminds us to praise God for all his majestic deeds throughout the ages. However, be assured that God has judgement in store for the wicked and those who choose to be his enemies. “The wicked will be snared by the work of their own hands” per Psalm 9:16 (KJV).
Which side are you on? Stop! Take a lengthy pause to seriously reflect on your own heart, words, and actions; for there is no one who does not sin. I know which side I am on. I choose to take a solemn pause to reflect on my heart to clear it of anything unpleasing to God. This is the day to do it! Don’t put it off! Use this new piece of manna that was gleaned to draw nearer to God today!
Put them in fear, Oh LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be just men. Selah.
Psalm 9:20
Translation Resources
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-Chapter-9/
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%209&version=TLB
https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/9-16.html
https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/62596/psalm-916-haggaion-selah