Psalms 89:48

KJV

What man [is he that] liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.

KJV (with Strong's)

What man {H1397} is he that liveth {H2421}{H8799)}, and shall not see {H7200}{H8799)} death {H4194}? shall he deliver {H4422}{H8762)} his soul {H5315} from the hand {H3027} of the grave {H7585}? Selah {H5542}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Who can live and not see death? Who can save himself from the power of the grave? (Selah)

Berean Standard Bible

What man can live and never see death? Can he deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah

American Standard Version

What man is he that shall live and not see death, That shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? [Selah

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 89:48 confronts humanity with the stark, universal reality of mortality through two profound rhetorical questions, challenging any illusion of escape from death's dominion or the grave's grasp. This verse serves as a poignant expression of human fragility and dependence, underscoring the psalmist's desperate plea for divine intervention amidst perceived covenantal failure, highlighting that if even the most powerful cannot evade death, then God must act swiftly to uphold His promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 89, attributed to Ethan the Ezrahite, opens with a magnificent hymn celebrating God's steadfast love and His unbreakable covenant with King David, particularly concerning the eternal nature of his dynasty ([Psalms 89:3-4](/psalms/89-3 "Psalms 89:3-4 - God's Covenant with David")). However, the psalm undergoes a dramatic shift, transitioning into a lament as the psalmist observes a period of national distress, defeat, or perceived divine abandonment of the Davidic king. This lament, beginning around [Psalms 89:38](/psalms/89-38 "Psalms 89:38 - God's Apparent Rejection"), questions why God seems to have "cast off" and "abhorred" His anointed. Verse 48 is embedded within this desperate plea, strategically placed to underscore the brevity and fragility of human life as a compelling reason for God to intervene and remember His unfailing love before death claims all hope and renders His promises seemingly meaningless. The psalmist's argument is that if God's chosen king is mortal and facing destruction, and if all humanity is subject to death, then God's eternal covenant must be upheld in *this* life, or it risks being nullified by the grave.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Davidic Covenant, established in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"), promised an eternal dynasty for David's lineage. This covenant was foundational to Israelite theology and national identity, assuring them of a perpetual king and a secure kingdom. The historical backdrop for Psalm 89 is likely a period when this covenant appeared to be in jeopardy, perhaps during a military defeat, a period of national humiliation, or even the Babylonian exile, when the Davidic monarchy was overthrown. Such events would have caused immense theological crisis, prompting questions about God's faithfulness. Culturally, ancient Israelites, like other Near Eastern peoples, understood death as an inescapable reality, leading to Sheol, the shadowy realm of the dead. There was no clear concept of a vibrant afterlife or resurrection for the masses as later developed. Thus, the psalmist's concern about "seeing death" and the "hand of the grave" reflects a profound existential dread rooted in the finality of earthly existence and the perceived cessation of all activity and relationship in Sheol.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of [Psalms 89:48](/psalms/89-48 "Psalms 89:48 - The Inevitability of Death") is the **inevitability and universality of death**. No human being, regardless of status, power, or piety, can escape mortality, a truth echoed throughout Scripture, from the fleeting nature of life described in [Psalms 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "Psalms 90:10 - The Brevity of Life") to the appointed time of death in [Hebrews 9:27](/hebrews/9-27 "Hebrews 9:27 - Appointed to Die"). This leads to the theme of **human helplessness and limitation**. The rhetorical questions emphasize humanity's complete inability to defy death or rescue oneself from the grave's grasp, highlighting the vast chasm between mortal man and the eternal, sovereign God. The phrase "hand of the grave" points to the **dominion of Sheol**, the realm of the dead, over all earthly life. Underlying these somber truths is a desperate **plea for divine remembrance and intervention**. The psalmist implicitly argues that if life is so brief and death so certain, then God must act swiftly to fulfill His promises and uphold His covenant before the grave claims all hope and renders the divine promises meaningless in the face of human extinction.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Grave (Hebrew, _she'ol'_):** The Hebrew word שְׁאוֹל (*she'ol*) is much more than a mere burial place. It refers to the underworld, the realm of the dead, or Hades in the Greek Septuagint. It is often depicted as a dark, silent, dusty place from which there is no return, the common destiny of all humanity after death. The question "shall he deliver his soul from the hand of *Sheol*?" underscores the absolute and inescapable power of this realm over human life, signifying a transition into a state of cessation of earthly activity and consciousness.
* **Deliver (Hebrew, _natsal'_):** The verb נָצַל (*natsal*) means "to snatch away, rescue, deliver, pull out." In this context, it emphasizes the human inability to actively save oneself or escape from the clutches of death. The rhetorical question highlights that no human effort, strength, or wisdom can provide a means of escape from the inevitable fate of mortality.
* **Selah (Hebrew, _selah'_):** This term, found 71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk, is a musical or liturgical instruction whose precise meaning is debated. Common interpretations include "lift up," "pause," or "interlude." In Psalms 89:48, "Selah" functions as a crucial punctuation mark, inviting the reader or worshipper to pause, reflect deeply, and contemplate the profound and sobering truth of human mortality and helplessness that has just been articulated. It serves to emphasize the weight and finality of the statements preceding it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"What man [is he that] liveth, and shall not see death?":** This is a rhetorical question, not seeking an answer but emphatically asserting an undeniable truth. It highlights the universal experience of mortality, applying to every single human being, regardless of their status, power, or piety. The phrase "see death" is a poetic idiom for experiencing death, emphasizing its inevitability and the fact that it is a common destiny shared by all.
* **"shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?":** This second rhetorical question reinforces the first, deepening the sense of human powerlessness. "His soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, *nephesh*) refers to the individual's very being, their life force or person. "The hand of the grave" is a powerful personification, depicting the grave (Sheol) as an entity with grasping power, from which no one can escape or be rescued by their own efforts. It underscores the absolute dominion that death and the underworld hold over human life.
* **"Selah.":** As discussed above, this interjection serves as a solemn pause, compelling the audience to meditate on the profound and inescapable reality of human mortality and the absolute power of the grave that has just been proclaimed.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 89:48 is rich in literary devices that amplify its profound message. The most prominent are **Rhetorical Questions**. The verse consists entirely of two such questions ("What man [is he that] liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?"). These are not posed to elicit information but to make a forceful, undeniable assertion about the universal and inescapable nature of human mortality. By framing them as questions, the psalmist engages the audience directly, inviting them to confront this self-evident truth. Secondly, the phrase "the hand of the grave" employs **Personification**. The grave (Sheol) is given human-like agency, possessing a "hand" that grasps and holds, thereby emphasizing its powerful and inescapable dominion over human life. This vivid imagery makes the abstract concept of death more tangible and menacing. Finally, the two questions exhibit a form of **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous or synthetic parallelism. The second question ("shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?") reiterates and intensifies the truth presented in the first ("What man... shall not see death?"), reinforcing the theme of human powerlessness in the face of death. The cumulative effect of these devices is to create a deeply poignant and unchallengeable statement about the human condition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 89:48 stands as a stark theological declaration of human finitude and the universal dominion of death, a truth woven throughout the biblical narrative. It underscores the vast chasm between the temporal nature of humanity and the eternal, sovereign nature of God. This verse's desperate tone, situated within a lament, implicitly highlights the absolute necessity of divine intervention for any hope beyond the grave. If humanity is utterly powerless against death, then true deliverance, resurrection, or eternal life must originate solely from God's power and faithfulness, not human effort. It sets the stage for a profound longing for a divine solution to the problem of mortality, a longing ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

* [Hebrews 9:27](/hebrews/9-27 "Hebrews 9:27 - Appointed to Die")
* [Psalms 90:12](/psalms/90-12 "Psalms 90:12 - Numbering Our Days")
* [Job 14:1-2](/job/14-1 "Job 14:1-2 - Man's Frailty and Fleeting Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 89:48 serves as a profound and sobering mirror, reflecting the inescapable reality of our own mortality. This awareness, rather than leading to despair, should cultivate a deep sense of humility and a proper perspective on life's priorities. Recognizing that our days are finite compels us to live with intentionality, making the most of the time God has granted us, seeking to honor Him and serve others. It challenges any illusion of self-sufficiency or earthly permanence, directing our gaze beyond the temporal to the eternal. For the believer, this verse does not leave us in the grip of hopelessness but implicitly points to the essential need for a hope that transcends the grave. Our inability to save ourselves from death underscores our absolute dependence on God, who alone holds the power over life and death. It encourages us to bring our deepest fears and questions about our fleeting existence before Him in honest prayer, trusting in His ultimate sovereignty and His plan for redemption that extends even beyond the grave.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of death, as presented in this verse, impact your daily priorities and long-term goals?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge a self-sufficient or overly materialistic view of humanity and life?**
* **What hope does the Christian faith offer in the face of the grave's apparent dominion, as described by the psalmist?**
* **How might acknowledging your own mortality lead to a deeper appreciation for God's eternal nature and promises?**

### FAQ

**Does "soul" in this verse refer to an immortal spirit or simply life?**

Answer: The Hebrew word translated "soul" is *nephesh* (נֶפֶשׁ), which in the Old Testament often refers to the whole person, the living being, or the life principle itself. It does not primarily denote an immortal, disembodied spirit in the Greek philosophical sense. So, "deliver his soul from the hand of the grave" means "deliver his very life/being from the power of death and the underworld." The question emphasizes that no living person can prevent their entire being from succumbing to death and entering Sheol, the common realm of the dead. It underscores the cessation of earthly life and activity, highlighting the finality of death from a human perspective.

**What is the significance of "Selah" in this context?**

Answer: "Selah" is a technical term found frequently in the Psalms, likely a musical or liturgical instruction. While its exact meaning is debated, it generally indicates a pause for reflection, contemplation, or an instrumental interlude. In the context of [Psalms 89:48](/psalms/89-48 "Psalms 89:48 - The Inevitability of Death"), "Selah" serves as a powerful punctuation mark. It compels the reader or listener to stop and deeply ponder the profound and sobering truth that has just been articulated: the universal and inescapable reality of human mortality and the absolute power of the grave. It is an invitation to let the weight of these rhetorical questions sink in, fostering a moment of solemn meditation on the brevity of life and human helplessness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 89:48, with its stark declaration of universal mortality and human helplessness before the grave, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The psalmist's rhetorical questions – "What man... shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?" – are answered definitively in the person of Christ. He is the unique "man" who indeed "saw death," experiencing its full sting on the cross, yet He *did* "deliver His soul from the hand of the grave" through His resurrection. Unlike any other human, Jesus conquered death, breaking its power and emerging victorious from Sheol, as foretold in [Psalms 16:10](/psalms/16-10 "Psalms 16:10 - You will not abandon my soul to Sheol"). His resurrection is the divine answer to humanity's deepest fear and the psalmist's lament, demonstrating God's ultimate power over death and the grave. Through His atoning sacrifice and triumphant resurrection, Jesus became "the resurrection and the life," offering eternal life to all who believe in Him ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). He is the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ the Firstfruits")), guaranteeing that just as He was raised, so too will those who are in Him be raised. Thus, what was an inescapable fate for all humanity under the Old Covenant becomes a conquered foe through Christ, whose victory over death means that for believers, "death is swallowed up in victory" ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory over Death")). He has, once and for all, delivered His people from the fear of death and the dominion of the grave ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Conquest of Death")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 49:15

¶ But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

Ecclesiastes 9:5

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

Hebrews 11:5

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Ecclesiastes 12:7

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Ecclesiastes 8:8

[There is] no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither [hath he] power in the day of death: and [there is] no discharge in [that] war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

Job 30:23

For I know [that] thou wilt bring me [to] death, and [to] the house appointed for all living.

Psalms 49:7

None [of them] can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: