What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights not just the inevitability of death, but the futility of human effort to escape its ultimate grasp. It's a stark reminder that even the strongest or "mighty man," as the original word suggests, cannot bargain with or overcome the power of the grave on their own.
What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalm is reaching its climax, moving from a lament over the broken covenant with David's line to a desperate plea to God. The psalmist laments the fallen state of the king and kingdom, feeling God's apparent abandonment and the reproach of enemies, and now directly confronts the universal reality of human mortality and the grave's power. This stark acknowledgement of death's inevitability sets the stage for a prayer that God's faithfulness will ultimately triumph over human frailty and the apparent failure of his promises.
Imagine a world where no one ever died. What would that even look like? This verse cuts through that fantasy.
The Psalmist here confronts a universal truth: mortality.
The Inevitable End
No matter how strong, how wise, or how wealthy a person is, death comes for everyone. The Hebrew word used here, 'geber,' can mean 'strong man' or 'hero,' highlighting that even the greatest among us are subject to this fate. It's a stark reminder that our physical existence is temporary.
Beyond Human Control
This verse also points out the futility of trying to escape death through our own strength or ingenuity. No amount of power, riches, or wisdom can ultimately deliver a person from the grave. This isn't a failure of human effort; it's simply the reality of our created condition.
What does the 'power of Sheol' really mean? It's a concept that goes beyond just physical death.
The verse mentions 'the power of Sheol,' which refers to the underworld, the realm of the dead.
The Dominion of Death
'Sheol' in the Old Testament often represents the grave or the abode of the dead. The 'hand of the grave' signifies its complete dominion and inescapable grip. It’s the ultimate consequence of mortality, a place from which no living person can rescue themselves or others.
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A Universal Fate
This isn't just about the physical body decaying; it speaks to the finality and separation that death represents for those who haven't found deliverance through God. The Psalmist uses this stark image to emphasize the depth of human helplessness in the face of death's power.
Understand the original words
Sheol · Hebrew Noun
The place of the dead, the grave, or the underworld. It represents the inevitable end of earthly life and the realm where humans reside after death, emphasizing humanity's mortality.
Selah · Hebrew Interjection/Liturgical notation
A Hebrew term of uncertain meaning, likely a musical or liturgical instruction indicating a pause, reflection, or a crescendo in the performance of the Psalm.
This psalm is a lament that arises from the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and the Davidic monarchy by Babylon. The poet grapples with the apparent failure of God's promises to David in light of this devastation, questioning the very nature of human existence and mortality in the face of such divine judgment.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Covenant Established
God establishes a covenant with King David, promising that his royal line will endure forever and his kingdom will be established eternally.
c. 975 BC
Solomon's Reign and Temple Dedication
David's son Solomon succeeds him. The kingdom reaches its peak of prosperity and influence, with the dedication of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem.
931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
After Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah, marking the beginning of a long period of decline for both.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting its population and effectively ending its existence as a distinct entity.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
The Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II conquers Judah, exiles King Jehoiachin and many of the elite to Babylon, and installs a puppet ruler.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This event represents a profound crisis for the Davidic dynasty and God's people, fulfilling prophecies of judgment.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon. This ushers in a new era where exiled peoples, including the Judeans, are eventually allowed to return to their homelands.
This passage reflects on the brevity of human life and the certainty of death, mirroring the Psalmist's contemplation of mortality and the impossibility of escaping the grave.
Ecclesiastes 3:19-20This text directly states that humans and animals share the same fate of death, reinforcing the idea that death is a universal end for all humankind, which the Psalmist questions if anyone can escape.
Hebrews 9:27This New Testament verse states that it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, providing a theological framework for the inescapable nature of death that the Psalmist observes.
Romans 5:12This passage explains how sin entered the world through one man and death passed to all men, connecting the universality of death directly to the human condition introduced by sin.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57While affirming death's sting, this passage triumphantly declares victory over death through Christ, offering a hopeful counterpoint to the Psalmist's stark observation of death's power, pointing towards resurrection.
bensonPsalms 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."
Psalm 89:48-50 . What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? — All men, at their best estate, are mortal and miserable; kings and people must unavoidably die by the condition of their natures. Lord, where are thy former loving-kindnesses? — Hast thou forgotten or repented of all that mercy and kindness which thou hast promised and sworn, and sometimes perfor…
clarkePsalms 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."
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.
The verse highlights not just the inevitability of death, but the futility of human effort to escape its ultimate grasp. It's a stark reminder that even the strongest or "mighty man," as the original word suggests, cannot bargain with or overcome the power of the grave on their own.
The psalm is reaching its climax, moving from a lament over the broken covenant with David's line to a desperate plea to God. The psalmist laments the fallen state of the king and kingdom, feeling God's apparent abandonment and the reproach of enemies, and now directly confronts the universal reality of human mortality and the grave's power. This stark acknowledgement of death's inevitability sets the stage for a prayer that God's faithfulness will ultimately triumph over human frailty and the apparent failure of his promises.
The psalm is reaching its climax, moving from a lament over the broken covenant with David's line to a desperate plea to God. The psalmist laments the fallen state of the king and kingdom, feeling God's apparent abandonment and the reproach of enemies, and now directly confronts the universal reality of human mortality and the grave's power. This stark acknowledgement of death's inevitability sets the stage for a prayer that God's faithfulness will ultimately triumph over human frailty and the apparent failure of his promises.
"What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah" — The verse highlights not just the inevitability of death, but the futility of human effort to escape its ultimate grasp. It's a stark reminder that even the strongest or "mighty man," as the original…
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Last reviewed October 2026