Sela is a Dutch band that writes new songs for the church. Active since 2005 and born from an HGJB project, it has seen several of its songs, such as Ik zal er zijn and Gebed om zegen, included in the Opwekking songbook. Via Dolorosa and Mijn Herder are also among its most listened to songs.
Sela is a Dutch band born in 2005 from an HGJB project that wanted to encourage praise and worship in churches. Its name comes from the psalm word "selah", a pause before the music picks up again. The band writes new songs for the church so that believers can sing together and give glory to God, in the line of the old hymns. Hans Maat wrote much of the lyrics. The success of the first album, U (2005), led the band to carry on.
The albums followed: Via Dolorosa (2012), Ik zal er zijn (2013), then Thuis (2019), Huis van vrede (2024) and the Easter album Met Christus opgestaan (2026). Several songs appear in the Opwekking songbook, including Gebed om zegen (no. 710) and Ik zal er zijn (no. 770). The band gives Easter and Christmas concerts in Dutch churches. In January 2023, a new singer and a new pianist joined the lineup.
- Origin
- Netherlands
- Style
- Contemporary church songs, congregational worship
- Active since
- 2005 (first album, U)
- Good to know
- A project born at the HGJB, with several songs in the Opwekking songbook
How did Sela get started?
Sela began in 2005 as an HGJB project: musicians wanted to record an album to support praise and worship in churches. The success of the first album, U (2005), pushed them to continue, and Votum followed in 2007.
The albums Gloria (2009), Koninkrijk (2010), Via Dolorosa (2012), Ik zal er zijn (2013) and In het licht (2014) established the repertoire. The band also records live concerts, including CD/DVD Live in Utrecht, which features Gebed om zegen.
What makes Sela unique?
Sela writes so that churches can sing: the songs are made for the congregation, sheet music is offered free of charge, and several titles, such as Mijn Herder or Mijn toevlucht, draw directly on the psalms. Ik zal er zijn, released in Dutch in 2013, also exists in English as I Will Be There (video from 2020). The band renewed its lineup in 2023 with Lars Gerfen on vocals and Arnold Dekker on piano.
Where should you start to discover Sela?
Start with I Will Be There, the English version of Ik zal er zijn, then Via Dolorosa and Mijn Herder. Next listen to Gebed om zegen in the Live in Utrecht recording, and continue with the albums Thuis (2019) and Huis van vrede (2024).
songs
I Will Be There
English version of Ik zal er zijn (2013, lyrics by Hans Maat, music by Kinga Bán and Adrian Roest), published in June 2020.
Via Dolorosa
A song about Jesus' road to Golgotha, published on Sela's channel in March 2013, linked to the album Via Dolorosa (2012).
Mijn Herder
A song on the theme of the Lord as shepherd, in the spirit of Psalm 23, published in September 2013.
Gebed om zegen
Included in the Opwekking songbook (no. 710), here in the CD/DVD Live in Utrecht recording.
Discography
- 2026Met Christus opgestaan· Easter album
- 2024Huis van vrede
- 2021Kerstnacht Boven Bethlehem· Christmas album
- 2019Thuis
- 2018God van leven
- 2016Vreugde van mijn hart
- 2013Ik zal er zijn
- 2012Via Dolorosa
- 2005U· First album
Read also
Frequently asked questions
Who is Sela?
Sela is a Dutch band that writes new songs for the church. It was born in 2005 from an HGJB project and has released albums of congregational songs since U (2005).
Is Sela a Christian band?
Yes. The band writes so that churches can sing together and give glory to God, with lyrics inspired by the Bible, especially the psalms.
What are Sela's best known songs?
Ik zal er zijn, Via Dolorosa, Mijn Herder and Gebed om zegen are among its best known songs. Ik zal er zijn and Gebed om zegen appear in the Opwekking songbook.
What is Sela's latest album?
Its most recent album is Met Christus opgestaan, an Easter album announced in early 2026 on the band's official website, with a concert series of the same name.
What does the name Sela mean?
The name comes from the psalms, where "selah" marks a pause before the music picks up again. This is how the band's official website explains it.
Where can you listen to Sela?
Its music is available on the main streaming platforms and on its official YouTube channel, where the band posts its songs, live recordings and new releases.