Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 89:48

"What man is he that shall live and not see death, That shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah" — Psalms 89:48 (ASV)

What man. —Rather, What hero, or champion, or great man. The word is used of a king (Jeremiah 22:30). The verse repeats a common poetic theme:

“Pallida mors æquo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas,
Regumque turres.”—HORACE, I. Od. iv.

The hand of the grave. —Rather, of the underworld, “hand” being used for “power.”