Psalms 89 · Verse 48

Psalms 89:48

What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.
Psalms 89:48, King James Version

Psalms 89:48 in other translations

BSBWhat man can live and never see death? Can he deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah
WEBWhat man is he who shall live and not see death, who shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah.
ASVWhat man is he that shall live and not see death, That shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? [Selah
YLTWho is the man that liveth, and doth not see death? He delivereth his soul from the hand of Sheol. Selah.
DARBYWhat man liveth, and shall not see death? Shall he deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah.
BBEWhat man now living will not see death? will he be able to keep back his soul from the underworld? (Selah.)
WebsterWhat man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.

What does Psalms 89:48 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 89:38-52

38-52. present a striking contrast to these glowing promises, in mournful evidences of a loss of God's favor. cast off--and rejected (compare Psa 15:4; 43:2; 44:9).

Read the full comment on Psalms 89:38-52 →

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 48 What man is he that liveth - All men are mortal, and death is uncertain and no man, by wisdom, might, or riches, can deliver his life from the hand - the power, of death and the grave.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 89:38-52

Sometimes it is not easy to reconcile God's providences with his promises, yet we are sure that God's works fulfil his word. When the great Anointed One, Christ himself, was upon the cross, God seemed to have cast him off, yet did not make void his covenant, for that was established for ever. The honour of the house of David was lost. Thrones and crowns are often laid in the dust; but there is a crown of glory…

Read the full comment on Psalms 89:38-52 →

Psalms 89:48 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

מִ֤יmiwho?H4310
גֶ֣בֶרGe.ver[is the] manH1397
יִֽ֭חְיֶהYich.yeh[who] he will liveH2421
וְלֹ֣אve.Lo'and notH3808
יִרְאֶה\־yir.'eh-he will seeH7200
מָּ֑וֶתMa.vetdeathH4194
יְמַלֵּ֨טye.ma.Let[who] he will deliverH4422
נַפְשׁ֖וֹnaf.Sholife hisH5315
מִיַּד\־mi.yad-from [the] hand ofH3027
שְׁא֣וֹלshe.'olSheolH7585
סֶֽלָה\׃Se.lahSelahH5542

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 89:48

  • 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.

  • Psalms 49:15

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

  • 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.

  • Psalms 49:7-9

    None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.

  • 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.

  • John 8:51

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

  • Job 30:23

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

  • Acts 2:27

    Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

  • Psalms 22:29

    All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

  • Hebrews 9:27

    And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

  • Ecclesiastes 3:19-20

    For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
What.
49:7-9; Job 30:23; Ec 3:19,20; 8:8; 9:5; 12:7; Heb 9:27
see death.
Joh 8:51; Heb 11:5
shall.
49:15; Ac 2:27; 2Co 4:14

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 89:47

    Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?

  • Psalms 89:48

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

  • Psalms 89:49

    Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?

Read all of Psalms 89

Psalms 89:48 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
¿Qué hombre vivirá y no verá muerte? ¿librarás su vida del poder del sepulcro? (Selah.)
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Souviens-toi, quant à moi, de ce qu’est la vie: pourquoi as-tu créé tous les fils des hommes pour n’être que vanité?
German
Elberfelder 1871
Welcher Mann lebt und wird den Tod nicht sehen, wird seine Seele befreien von der Gewalt des Scheols?