15 Heb “As we have heard, so we have seen.” The community had heard about God’s mighty deeds in the nation’s history. Having personally witnessed his saving power with their own eyes, they could now affirm that the tradition was not exaggerated or inaccurate.
16 Heb “the Lord of hosts.” The title “Lord of hosts” here pictures the Lord as a mighty warrior-king who leads armies into battle (see Pss 24:10; 46:7, 11).
17 Or “God makes it secure forever.” The imperfect highlights the characteristic nature of the generalizing statement.

In other versions

As we have heard, so have we seen

in the city of the Lord of hosts,

in the city of our God,

which God will establish forever. Selah

As we have heard,

so we have seen

in the city of the Lord Almighty,

in the city of our God:

God makes her secure

forever.

Just as we heard, so we have seen

in the city of the Lord of Armies,

in the city of our God;

God will establish it forever.

Selah

We had heard of the city’s glory,

but now we have seen it ourselves—

the city of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

It is the city of our God;

he will make it safe forever.

Interlude

As we have heard, so we have seen

in the city of Yahweh of hosts, in the city of our God.

God will establish her forever. Selah

As we have heard, so have we seen

In the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God:

God will establish it for ever. Selah.

Public Domain