With respect to the interpretation of psalms in which the word is used, it must be admitted that in the light of current knowledge no precise significance can be attributed . . . However, it may serve as a useful reminder to the modern reader of the Psalms that many psalms were initially sung with musical accompaniment. And in terms of probabilities, the tradition [of understanding "selah" to be a pause or musical interlude] should probably be considered as providing the most likely significance of the term.Psalms 1-50 p.76-77