Rastafari Association of Selah and Selassie

Blessings and Love to all Sistren,

As some of you know the RasTa WifeLine group is now up on Facebook so that Sistren can reason with others who visit the blog, and share inspirations, photos, reasoning, ask questions - everything that can't be done on the blogspot. I give thanks to those who have already engaged in reasoning, and I welcome every Sistren to forward in time to come.

Today's post is about a common word RasTafari use in worship. we often call His Majesty Emperor Haile Sellassie the First "Selah." This essay is a summary of how that came to be - and the attached video contains the same word sound.

Sela/Selah is Selassie

One of the greatest finds in the Scriptures by Rastafari is the direct relationship between the word Selah and its reference to the Lord of and in Israel. Our use of Selah is also another tradition that binds us to the Israelites. The Hebrew use of the word Selah is a melodic instruction of pause (for ensample Psalm 4:4, 52:3) for reflection and Iditation on the Word. However, certain verses which bear great particulars about the personality and the miraculous or victorious Works of the Lord in the Book of Psalms^[1] often end with Selah. Emphasis on JAH is placed by pausing to reflect on the Character and Nature of the God of Isra’el.

Though not scholastically proven, in essence Selah is taken by Rastafari to be a word for JAH. This interpretation of Selah as Selassie was deciphered through Rastafari’s Dread talk or Iyaric – a language we believe creates an awareness of the Word Sound Power, by emphasizing its hidden words, implied sounds and meanings in both negative and positive ways. This enables us to shed bad thoughts, systems and habits by refraining from the Words we associate with them or use to give them power over us. We learn the pure language to talk to JAH and to show love to one another as a Church and kingdom.

Through such interpretation, I and I sight Sela to be contained in the English spelling of the Ethiopian Name “Trinity” or Selassie. The Trinity, Selassie for Rastafari has a double meaning. First there is the Father, Son and Hola Irit, and second the Prophet Priest and King Melchizedek of Zion. As His Majesty was baptised the Power of this Trinity, it is believed that His Ivine Right is to rule with a triple crown, to represent JAH in flesh. Selah in Rastafari worship means “Ras Tafari Haile Selassie I is Melchizedek, King of Peace,” noting that the Amharic word for peace - Selam - also contains sela.

Since Sela or Selah is linked to the Holy Name and Character of JAH, in chanting Psalms it becomes a great exultation of JAH and the wondrous works of the King. “SELAH! (Pause) Selassie I JAH Ras TafarI!” being a common refrain in Rastafari shows that Selah is best rendered as a Word for calling up the Power and Name of the Black God of Afrika and Isra’el.

And so, Emperor Haile Selassie/Sellassie the First is renamed “King Selah-See-I” or simply “Selah,” promoting His power in Irit and flesh, and the connection between JAH and Israel. Every verse referenced here from the Book of Psalms indeed is a statement of praise, acknowledgement and truth of the Almighty, who revealed Himself in the lineage of His own peculiar priest-kings that Israel may have life. These Psalms are divided into groups to better show the nature of Haile Selassie I as the King of Israel, Brethren, Servant and Lord of Isra’el. One of the most notable is Psalm 87:6, which speaks of the City of God being in Kush, where “this Man” was born.

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[1] Psalms are exultations, praises or Ises, a devotional set of writings detailing the core beliefs of Isra’el.

- Sela/h is the Name of the King and the Lord Jahovah of Jacob

The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there [in Ethiopia]. Selah. (Psalm 87:6)

This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. (Psalm 24:6)

Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. (Psalm 24:10)

In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. (Psalm 44:8)

And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah. (Psalm 50:6)

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. (Psalm 46:7, 11))

He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. (Psalm 57:3)

Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah: (Psalm 68:32)

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah. (Psalm 84:8)

 

- Selah executed Judgment on the Nations and Leaders of Babylon, He went to war

The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. (Psalm 9:16)

Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah. (Psalm 9:20)

Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah. (Psalm 59:13)

They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah. (Psalm 62:4)

He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah. (Psalm 66:7)

O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah: (Psalm 68:7)

There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah. (Psalm 76:3)

When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah. (Psalm 76:9)

- Sela/h is Earth’s Rightful Ruler, the Blessed God

I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. (Psalm 61:4)

All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. (Psalm 66:4)

O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. (Psalm 67:4)

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. (Psalm 84:4)

Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah. (Psalm 89:4)

-Sela/h is the Redeemer of Israel

I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill [Ethiopia]. Selah. (Psalm 3:4)

Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. (Psalm 3:8)

I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. (Psalm 32:5)

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. (Psalm 62:8)

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. (Psalm 67:1)

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. (Psalm 68:19)

Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. (Psalm 77:15)

Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. (Psalm 85:2)

- Sela/h is the One Whose Holy City and Banners are Representative of Noah and Melchizedek

Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah. (Psalm 87:3)

Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

(Psalm 60:4)

The ensign and banner of the Lord  in the Bible is the Messianic King of Judah as noted in Isaiah 11:10 and 12: And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people…And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. The Red Yellow Green of Ethiopia and Afrika on the whole, represent this banner and the protection of Her children by JAH.

- Sela/h is the God of the Faithful and the Living

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

 (Psalm 49:15)

What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah. (Psalm 89:48)

 

I hope I was clear - I have rewritten this small explanation so many times I can't count. It is simple but yet complex to state.

Bless the Lord, and the Irit of HIM within you!  Live unto your personal Zion and be blessed Dawtas of the Most High!

Sis Ila

Isra'el and Mosaic Law

Greetings and Blessed Love,

Before the Sabbath hour comes I want to just post a reasoning on the relationship between Isra'el, the Nation of Hebrews and their God Yahweh, as based upon their Covenant, which was ruled by Mosaic Law. RasTafari in adopting so many values and principles in the Livity, truly derived many ideals from Mosaic Law as with the Gospels. This tradition is also based in Ethiopia where the Fetha Nagast is a mixture of Torah and Nazirene laws.

If you are seeking RasTafari in a serious manner, wanting to change one's life for the better, to connect with JAH in a hola, righteous manner - one must know what is right from wrong. The Law helps us to govern ourselves, to see what habits are abominable and what are favourable. That's the only way we can truly see "the Norm" or "mainstream" from what it is - and navigate our way out of it. the Law also helps us to reconnect with the past greatness of man, and to apprecilove the honourable code of conduct that humanity or at least Isra'el, once thrived by.

the following is just a summary of Mosaic law, what Scripture says about it: how it came to be and what it truly determines for Isra'el;

The Hola Ible is ideally all about the relationship between the fourteen Tribes of Jacob and Joseph and their inheritance called the Covenant of Abraham. This Covenant was made when Isra’el rejected having a direct righteous and spiritual connection to JAH on Mt, Sinai, and chose Moses as their leader instead. Moses then instituted a set rule of law and a priesthood to govern it, which were to control Israel’s penchant for idolatry and a number of carnally-based habits. Everything that took Israel far from righteousness was outlawed and placed into perspective, by Mosaic Law. Abraham's Hebrew way of righteousness and faith was to be learned by the Law since Israel had carnal weaknesses unlike Abraham.

 The Scriptures describe a love-hate relationship between JAH and flesh, and how the physical pleasures of humanity were always able to conquer their Krist-Consciousness.  The battle was being fought between the Creation instruments of spirit and ego, where the Law served as the peacemaker by setting boundaries which keep both forces in check and the good in persuasion.  The Law fights the battle against sin - sin being that which causes the Kristos to be buried by the ego and idolatry to manifest -  and allows Isra'el to be spiritually, carnally and geographically redeemed. The Law is therefore on Jahovah's side, and Moses composed the Laws of Isra'el so that they could keep their land and live well for generations, rather than be slaves, and die in their transgressions against themselves, their God and Covenant.

Because they were ideally a people called out of corruption and destruction to be set apart as a kingdom of Priests and Kings (or Standard Bearers of God in the world), it was important that Biblical Isra'el embraced a set order or law which would prevent them from committing sins against their Living God Jahovah and one another. By living clean and good, Isra'el was separated and placed above the barbaric, demonic and bloodthirsty nations of Kanaan, Egypt, Assyrio-Babylon, Persia and the Gentiles. They were less like the world and more like God's Ilect when they honoured the Covenant and law. As individuals, tribes and a race, it allowed them to make themselves worthy to stand before Jahovah and to receive His holy instruction through the priests, kings and prophets.

Essentially, the Law was provided to save them from themselves and the ways of men, and ensured that the new world or land they would create between the rivers Nile and Euphrates was a testimony to the presence of the Living God in flesh;  orderly and righteous in its existence. The Law was also expected to be a pillar of family life, and reference guide for all aspects of society's operation.

However, repeatedly the Law was cast aside by Isra'el and the ruling houses of the church and throne, and this caused Isra'el to lose its special Godly inheritance and countenance. Every time they succumbed to the pressures of the flesh, bad things happened to Isra'el – the worst being  weakness, misfortune and death,  invasions, captivities, scattering and exile (events which led up to our current status in seeking redemption and repatriation). They moved away from the Way and Identity of their Fathers and Mothers, and the quest to dwell with JAH in their hearts and attitudes - the very things that made them unique, most cherished by JAH and most hated by men. (Rastafari seek to recapture that unique quality in our own context.)

            In return, JAH moved away from them, hiding His Word and Spirit from their consciousness, taking the Ark of the Covenant and the promise of prosperity and sovereignty to other land through the lineage of David: Ethiopia. In Jerusalem and Samaria the sons of Judah and Levi failed to uphold the order correctly and the Ark was both forgotten and lost to the tribes.

In general, going against the law always means that love for JAH or love for humanity or love for the Iniversal order of things, is compromised and disrespected. The only way to right such wrongs which for Isra'el caused environmental degradation, illness, war, poverty, death and broken homes and spirits, was to return to the wise-mind and fear  of JAH and get to know the God-head Jahovah better so that Their healing would come by wise-mind and the Kristos. In the Scripture, the way that man and woman did this was by seeking acquaintance with the Law of JAH, which describes how Isra'el or any holy person must live in order to purify themselves so that they could be Images of the God-Head.

Therefore, the first step Rastafari take in getting to know the Law and the Way of the God -Head and Ethiopia's Zion, is to discover the foundation that Isra'el was given in the Torah and Gospels.

-           There is one Law for all man and woman.

            Numbers 15:29; Leviticus 24:22

-           A nation that has the Law of God is the greatest nation. The Exodus of the newly formed Israelite Nation represents how great and terrible the Lord can be just to assure righteousness will reign in the hearts of His creation.

            Exodus 13:9; Deuteronomy 4:8

-           The Law must always be taught to the people no matter one’s status because it is their inheritance.

            Exodus 18:20; Deuteronomy 32:46; 33:4, 10; Malachi 2:7

-           The Law must be accessible to all, made known and never hid.

            Deuteronomy 27:8; 29:29

-           The Law must be remembered, read and obeyed by all, for all generations.

Deuteronomy 17:17-19; 29:29; 31:9-12; Job 22:22; Psalm 78:5; Isaiah 8:16; Ezekiel 44:24

-           The Law is extremely holy and its judgement, final and full of  fire.

            Deuteronomy 31:26; 33:2; Isaiah 5:24; Romans 2:12

-           The Law is the truth, it is good and holy.

            Psalm 119:142; Romans 7:12, 16

-           The Law is an order of JAH who is supreme over all flesh and superstition.

            2 Kings 17:13,37; 21:8; Isaiah 2:3; 33:22; 42:21; 51:4; Micah 4:2

-           The Law is established for all until the new heaven and new earth

            Matthew 5:17, 18; Luke 16:17

-           The Law is the delight of those who love JAH and His Ways, Righteousness

            Psalm 40:8; 119:18, 70, 77, 92,165,174; Proverbs 29:18

-           The Law is written on our foreheads and on the tables of our hearts – therefore we bear it in our Consciousness and meditation always

Psalms 1:2; 37:31; 40:8; 119:34,55,97,109; Isaiah 51:7; Jeremiah 31:33; Romans 2:15; 7:22

-           To serve and love the Lord is to obey His command/Law

            Joshua 22:5; John 14:15; Ecclesiastes 12:13

-           Love of the Law and for JAH strengthens obedience in the face of temptation          

            Psalm 119:29, 51, 61,72,83,13,153,163

-           If you keep the Law you shall live.

Leviticus 18:5; Nehemiah 9:29; Deuteronomy 8:3; Amos 5:4; Proverbs 13:14; 6:23; 7:2; Galatians 3:2; Romans 10:5; Revelation 22:14; Matthew 4:4; 19:17; Luke 4:4; John 12:50; Ezekiel 20:11,13,21; 18:8-9,17; 3:13-16; 33:16

-           Wisdom through the Law is our Mother that is, the giver of life.

            Proverbs 4; 3:1-8; Psalm 128; Exodus 20:12

-           Keep and obey the whole Law.

            James 2:10

-           Through the Law we know our acts of sin.

            Romans 3:20; 4:15; 7:7; 1 Corinthians 15:56; 1 John 3:4

-           To obey the Law which is made known through all generations is to be blessed by JAH in every manner of man’s works.

            Deuteronomy 30:9-11; Joshua 1:7-8; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalm 119:1

-           To disobey the Law is to be cursed. If one does so, one should be weary of the wrath of JAH, hence why fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, for it is wise to seek the Law and be spared.

            Deuteronomy 27:26; 28:58; Ezra 7:25; Isaiah 5:24; Jeremiah 32:23; Hosea 4:6

-           Those who break the Law  defile the earth.

            Isaiah 24:5

-           To disobey the Law is to rebel against JAH, it is wickedness.

            Isaiah 30:9; Proverbs 28:9; Psalm 119:150

-           Where the wicked rule, the Law is tainted.

            Habakkuk 1:4

-           But through Krist’s spirit we can overcome sin and the weakness of our flesh

            Romans 8:2-4; Hebrews 7:16

-           And won’t need the Law to rule us any more

            Romans 10:4; 3:28; 7:6; 4:13; Galatians 2:16, 21; 5:18

Senbet Selam

Sis. Ila