The Meaning of Psalms 48:8 Explained

Psalms 48:8

KJV: 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.

YLT: As we have heard, so we have seen, In the city of Jehovah of hosts, In the city of our God, God doth establish her -- to the age. Selah.

Darby: As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of Jehovah of hosts, in the city of our God: God doth establish it for ever. Selah.

ASV: As we have heard, so have we seen In the city of Jehovah of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Psalms 48:8 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The psalmist could confirm earlier reports of God delivering Zion with his own eyewitness testimony. The Lord of Armies had indeed defended His capital with His mighty forces. Some of the Lord"s troops were natural: Israel"s fighting force. Some were supernatural: His angelic army.

Context Summary

Psa 48:1-14 - "the City Of Our God"
This psalm also probably dates from 2 Chronicles 20:20. Tekoa was only three hours' march from Jerusalem and commanded an extensive view, so that Psalms 48:4-5 were literally true.
The psalmist celebrates the beauty and glory of Zion, Psalms 48:1-3. The Church today is the City of the great King. Apart from God, the fairest palace is no refuge; but a cottage becomes a palace if God is known and loved there. Judah's recent deliverance is gratefully commemorated, Psalms 48:4-8. It is a sublime picture: the gathered array, the dismay, flight, and destruction of the foe. Then comes the call to loving thought on God's care and goodness, Psalms 48:9-14. Notice those two sentences-"As we have heard, so we have seen," Psalms 48:8; and, "As is thy name, so is thy praise," Psalms 48:10. Whatever we have been told by our fathers about God, God is prepared to be and do for us; and our aim should be to praise Him worthily. Think of His love till your heart kindles to praise; and remember that this God is yours forever and ever. Let us surrender to Him the guidance of every step, until we pass through death into His immediate presence. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psa 48

1  The ornaments and privileges of the church

What do the individual words in Psalms 48:8 mean?

As we have heard so we have seen in the city of Yahweh of hosts in the city of our God God will establish it it for ever Selah
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר שָׁמַ֨עְנוּ ׀ כֵּ֤ן רָאִ֗ינוּ בְּעִיר־ יְהוָ֣ה צְ֭בָאוֹת בְּעִ֣יר אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ אֱלֹ֘הִ֤ים יְכוֹנְנֶ֖הָ עַד־ עוֹלָ֣ם סֶֽלָה

שָׁמַ֨עְנוּ ׀  we  have  heard 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common plural
Root: שָׁמַע 
Sense: to hear, listen to, obey.
כֵּ֤ן  so 
Parse: Adverb
Root: כֵּן 
Sense: so, therefore, thus.
רָאִ֗ינוּ  we  have  seen 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common plural
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
בְּעִיר־  in  the  city 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.
יְהוָ֣ה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: Jehovah—used primarily in the combination ‘Lord Jehovah’.
צְ֭בָאוֹת  of  hosts 
Parse: Noun, common plural
Root: צָבָא 
Sense: that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host.
בְּעִ֣יר  in  the  city 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ  of  our  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, first person common plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
אֱלֹ֘הִ֤ים  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
יְכוֹנְנֶ֖הָ  will  establish  it 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: כּוּן 
Sense: to be firm, be stable, be established.
עַד־  it  for 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַד  
Sense: as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as.
עוֹלָ֣ם  ever 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹולָם  
Sense: long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world.
סֶֽלָה  Selah 
Parse: Interjection
Root: סֶלָה  
Sense: to lift up, exalt.