"As we know, this word is extensively used in the Psalms. And the reason is because the psalms are a prayer book, divinely-inspired songs of the people of Israel, often messianic, allegorical, and historically parabolic. That is to say, history, replete with spiritual meanings. The Selah is there to signal the believer to 'measure' carefully the meaning of what has been said. i.e., here is wisdom, reflect and understand. Just as the Hebrew word Amen [amen] is an exclamation of confidence or truth and certainty of what has been said, so Selah [celah], is an exclamation that we should measure and reflect upon what has been said. Psalms 4:4
"Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah."
Psalms 9:20 "Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah."
Psalms 57:6 "They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah."
Psalms 62:8 "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."
Psalms 89:3-4 "I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah."
Whether of urging our meditation upon our sinfulness, declaring God is our refuge, or speaking in 'types' about Christ, this word is an exhortation for us to be wise and measure or weigh what has been said that we understand. It is used in the Psalms seventy-three times, and is also used in Habakkuk three times. Each time it is illustrating that we should measure wisely or 'weigh' solemnly what is said."
-snip-
There's no question that religous African Americans were [are]much more familiar with the word "Selah" than they were [are] with "Sea Lions".
And, with all due respect to Rampant Reader's theory posted that Sea Lion could mean the C-Line on the underground railroad, I believe that it's become a widely accepted myth [or, perhaps I should say an it's become a widely accepted rural legend] that every or most 19th century African American religious or secular songs contained coded messages which referred to the underground railroad or which would alert enslaved people to safe routes, or opportunities to flee slavery, or which would identify persons who would help them escape slavery.
I'm definitely not a believer in the coded message school of African American spirituals.
In my next post, I'll share what I believe to be an example of Selah {Sea Lion} in an African American children's rhyme.