Psalms 89:48

Authorized King James Version

PDF

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

Original Language Analysis

מִ֤י H4310
מִ֤י
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 1 of 11
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
גֶ֣בֶר What man H1397
גֶ֣בֶר What man
Strong's: H1397
Word #: 2 of 11
properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply
יִֽ֭חְיֶה is he that liveth H2421
יִֽ֭חְיֶה is he that liveth
Strong's: H2421
Word #: 3 of 11
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
וְלֹ֣א H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 4 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִרְאֶה and shall not see H7200
יִרְאֶה and shall not see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 5 of 11
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
מָּ֑וֶת death H4194
מָּ֑וֶת death
Strong's: H4194
Word #: 6 of 11
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
יְמַלֵּ֨ט shall he deliver H4422
יְמַלֵּ֨ט shall he deliver
Strong's: H4422
Word #: 7 of 11
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
נַפְשׁ֖וֹ his soul H5315
נַפְשׁ֖וֹ his soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 8 of 11
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
מִיַּד from the hand H3027
מִיַּד from the hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 9 of 11
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
שְׁא֣וֹל of the grave H7585
שְׁא֣וֹל of the grave
Strong's: H7585
Word #: 10 of 11
hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
סֶֽלָה׃ Selah H5542
סֶֽלָה׃ Selah
Strong's: H5542
Word #: 11 of 11
suspension (of music), i.e., pause

Analysis & Commentary

What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? (מִי גֶבֶר יִחְיֶה וְלֹא יִרְאֶה־מָּוֶת mi gever yichyeh velo yir'eh-mavet)—rhetorical question expecting the answer "none." Gever (man, mighty man) emphasizes even strong humans cannot escape death. Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? (יְמַלֵּט נַפְשׁוֹ מִיַּד־שְׁאוֹל סֶלָה yemalet nafsho miyad-she'ol selah)—malat means to escape, slip away. Sheol (the grave, the realm of the dead) is personified as having a hand (yad) that grips the dying. The answer: no one escapes. "Selah" punctuates this grim reality.

The verse expresses universal mortality's despair. Psalm 49:7-9 echoes: "None of them can by any means redeem his brother...that he should still live for ever, and not see corruption." Without resurrection hope, death makes all promises futile. But Christ answers both rhetorical questions:

  1. The God-man lived and did not remain dead (Acts 2:24: "Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death").
  2. He delivers souls from Sheol's grip (Hosea 13:14: "O death, I will be thy plagues

O grave, I will be thy destruction"). Christ holds "the keys of hell and of death" (Revelation 1:18).

Historical Context

Ancient Israel's understanding of afterlife was shadowy (though not absent—see 1 Samuel 28; Isaiah 26:19). Exile intensified questions about death: Would God's people perish without seeing promises fulfilled? The answer awaited resurrection revelation. Christ's resurrection proved death isn't ultimate; martyrs could die in faith, knowing they'd rise (Hebrews 11:35: "that they might obtain a better resurrection").

Questions for Reflection