John Calvin 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 shall live, and shall not see death? This verse contains a confirmation of what has already been stated concerning the brevity of human life. What this means is that unless God hastens to show himself a father to men, the opportunity for 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, which means 'he was strong' or 'he prevailed'; and the sacred writer uses this word to express the truth more forcibly, that no man is exempt from the dominion of death.