Psalm 89:48

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 89:38-52

In these verses we have, I. A very melancholy complaint of the present deplorable state of David's family, which the psalmist thinks hard to be reconciled to the covenant God made with David. ?Thou saidst thou wouldst not take away thy lovingkindness, but thou hast cast off.? Sometimes, it is no easy thing to reconcile God's providences with his promises, and yet we are sure they are reconcilable; for God's works fulfil his word and never contradict it. 1. David's house seemed to have lost its... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 89:48

What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death ?.... 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 89:48

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. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 89:48

Verse 48 48.What man shall live, and shall not see death? This verse contains a confirmation of what has been already stated concerning the brevity of human life. The amount is, that unless God speedily hasten to show himself a father to men, the opportunity of causing them to experience his grace will no longer exist. The original word גבר, geber, which we have translated man, is derived from the verb גבר, gabar, he was strong, or he prevailed; and the sacred writer employs this word, the more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 89:1-52

Psalms 89:52 is no part of the psalm, but the doxology which concludes the Book. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 89:1-52

The general subject— God's promise to David and his seed but the present state of things is a bitter contrast to the promise, and a prayer that God would remove the contrast. Suggests— I. THAT GOD HAS ENTERED INTO A GRAND COVENANT WITH MANKIND . Given us the greatest and most precious promises. 1 . Promises that relate to our highest nature. "I will be a Father to them, and ye shall be my sons and daughters." 2 . That relate to our greatest calamity. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 89:46-51

The psalm ends with an appeal to God—"How long" is the present state of things to continue? How long is God's wrath to endure? Will he not remember how weak and futile, how short-lived and fleeting, the whole race of man is? Well he not bethink him of his old loving kindnesses to David, and of the promises made to him, and confirmed by oath? Will he not therefore remove their reproach from Israel, and especially from his anointed, on whom the disgrace chiefly falls? To these questions there... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 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? An expansion of the first clause of Psalms 89:47 . Man's littleness, feebleness, and fleetingness should draw forth the pity and loving kindness of God. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 89:48

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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 89:48-50

Psalms 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 performed, unto David, and his family and kingdom? Remember, Lord, how I do bear That is, we, thy servants, as he now said, our... read more

Group of Brands