Psalms 89:48

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 89:48 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “What man is he that shall live and not see death, That shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

What man is he that shall live and not see death, That shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah
Psalms 89:48 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 89

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
48What man is he that shall live and not see death, That shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? etc.] Every living man must die; as sure as a man lives, so sure he shall die: be he strong and mighty, as the word signifies, or weak and sickly; be he high or low, rich or poor, prince or peasant, righteous or wicked; persons of all ranks, states, and conditions, age or sex, must die; for all have sinned; and it is the appointment of God that they should die, and very few are the exceptions; as Enoch and Elijah, and those that will be found alive at Christ’s coming: shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave; either from going down into it, or coming under the power of it; so the Targum, “what man is he that shall live, and…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? - Shall not die - to see death being an expression often used to denote death itself. Death is represented as a real object, now invisible, but which will make itself visible to us when we die. The meaning here is, “All men are mortal; this universal law must apply to kings as well as to other men; in a short time he to whom these promises pertain will pass away from the earth; and the promises made to him cannot then be fulfilled.” Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? - His life. Will he be able to deliver that from the power of the grave; in Hebrew, שׁאול she'ôl. Death - the grave - Sheol - asserts a universal dominion…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“What man - All men at their best estate are mortal and miserable; kings and people must unavoidably die by the conditions of their natures; and therefore, Lord, do not increase our affliction. Psalms 89:50”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“What: Psa 49:7-9; Job 30:23; Ecc 3:19, Ecc 3:20, Ecc 8:8, Ecc 9:5, Ecc 12:7; Heb 9:27 see death: Joh 8:51; Heb 11:5 shall: Psa 49:15; Act 2:27; Co2 4:14 Psalms 89:49”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification