Definition: O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Psalm 84:8. It's a really beautiful and thoughtful verse from the Old Testament. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is about longing and pleading for something to happen. It expresses a deep feeling of needing something from God, and a request for His attention and response. Let's unpack it word by word: “O LORD God of hosts” : This isn’t a casual greeting. It emphasizes that this is a serious plea, a very high-ranking or important person asking for help. It shows reverence and respect. “hear my prayer” : The person is begging for His attention and to listen to what they are saying. “give ear, O God of Jacob” : This is the key part! “Jacob” refers to the Israelites in ancient Israel – a group of people who were struggling with their own problems and needing guidance. "Give ear" means to pay close attention to what's being said. The phrase “O God of hosts” adds more weight and importance. “Selah” : This is an Old Testament word that’s often translated as “pause” or “wait.” It suggests a moment of reflection, a pause in the plea, before God responds. Overall Meaning: The verse expresses a feeling of deep sadness and frustration at not being heard by God. The person is saying, "I'm really upset/sad/desperate because I don’t feel like my needs are being met, and I need you to listen." It’s a plea for divine intervention and reassurance that someone is being considered. Think of it as: A person feeling unheard and asking God to finally give them some attention and understanding. In short, it's a heartfelt expression of longing and a request for divine guidance. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you more context about the time this verse was written? Discuss the possible meaning behind the phrase "Selah"?