These verses are Heman’s petition to Yahweh to allow him to live. He believed that if he died, he would not be able to praise Yahweh for his help (Psalm 115:17–18). Heman did not consider his case entirely hopeless; he wanted to stay alive! From this, we can learn that Godfearing people, while longing to be with the Lord, need not desire death.
10 Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah