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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 62:9 Lowborn men are but a vapor, the exalted but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/62-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/19_Psa_062_009.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 62:9 - Waiting on God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Lowborn men are but a vapor, the exalted but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/62-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/62-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/62.htm">Chapter 62</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/62-8.htm" title="Psalm 62:8">◄</a> Psalm 62:9 <a href="/psalms/62-10.htm" title="Psalm 62:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/psalms/62.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/psalms/62.htm">New International Version</a> Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. <a href="/nlt/psalms/62.htm">New Living Translation</a> Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air. <a href="/esv/psalms/62.htm">English Standard Version</a> Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. <a href="/bsb/psalms/62.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Lowborn men are but a vapor; the exalted are but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor. <a href="/kjv/psalms/62.htm">King James Bible</a> Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. <a href="/nkjv/psalms/62.htm">New King James Version</a> Surely men of low degree are a vapor, Men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, They are altogether lighter than vapor. <a href="/nasb_/psalms/62.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> People of low standing are only breath, and people of rank are a lie; In the balances they go up. Together they are lighter than breath. <a href="/nasb/psalms/62.htm">NASB 1995</a> Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie; In the balances they go up; They are together lighter than breath. <a href="/nasb77/psalms/62.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Men of low degree are only vanity, and men of rank are a lie; In the balances they go up; They are together lighter than breath. <a href="/lsb/psalms/62.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Surely men of low degree are merely vanity and men of rank are a lie; In the balances they go up; They are together lighter than a breath of vanity. <a href="/amp/psalms/62.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Men of low degree are only a breath (emptiness), and men of [high] rank are a lie (delusion). In the balances they go up [because they have no measurable weight or value]; They are together lighter than a breath. <a href="/csb/psalms/62.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Common people are only a vapor; important people, an illusion. Together on a scale, they weigh less than a vapor. <a href="/hcsb/psalms/62.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Men are only a vapor; exalted men, an illusion. Weighed in the scales, they go up; together they are less than a vapor. <a href="/asv/psalms/62.htm">American Standard Version</a> Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: In the balances they will go up; They are together lighter than vanity. <a href="/cev/psalms/62.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> We humans are only a breath; none of us are truly great. All of us together weigh less than a puff of air. <a href="/erv/psalms/62.htm">English Revised Version</a> Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: in the balances they will go up; they are together lighter than vanity. <a href="/gwt/psalms/62.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Common people are only a whisper in the wind. Important people are only a delusion. When all of them are weighed on a scale, they amount to nothing. They are less than a whisper in the wind. <a href="/gnt/psalms/62.htm">Good News Translation</a> Human beings are all like a puff of breath; great and small alike are worthless. Put them on the scales, and they weigh nothing; they are lighter than a mere breath. <a href="/isv/psalms/62.htm">International Standard Version</a> Human beings are a mere vapor, while people in high positions are not what they appear. When they are placed on the scales, they weigh nothing; even when weighed together, they are less than nothing. <a href="/msb/psalms/62.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Lowborn men are but a vapor; the exalted are but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor. <a href="/net/psalms/62.htm">NET Bible</a> Men are nothing but a mere breath; human beings are unreliable. When they are weighed in the scales, all of them together are lighter than air. <a href="/nheb/psalms/62.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Surely men of low degree are just a breath, and men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath. <a href="/wbt/psalms/62.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. <a href="/web/psalms/62.htm">World English Bible</a> Surely men of low degree are just a breath, and men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/psalms/62.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Surely vanity the low, a lie the high. In balances to go up "" They [are] lighter than a breath. <a href="/ylt/psalms/62.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Only -- vanity are the low, a lie the high. In balances to go up they than vanity are lighter. <a href="/slt/psalms/62.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Surely the sons of man vanity, the sons of man falsehood: to be brought up into the balances, they together of vanity.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/psalms/62.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But vain are the sons of men, the sons of men are liars in the balances: that by vanity they may together deceive. <a href="/cpdv/psalms/62.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> <V 61:10>So, truly, the sons of men are untrustworthy. The sons of men are liars in the scales, so that, by emptiness, they may deceive among themselves. <a href="/nabre/psalms/62.htm">New American Bible</a> Mortals are a mere breath, the sons of man but an illusion; On a balance they rise; together they weigh nothing. <a href="/nrsvce/psalms/62.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/psalms/62.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Surely all untrue men are like vapor; when they are placed in the balance, they are found wanting. <a href="/hpbt/psalms/62.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And all the false children of men are like a vapor who are placed in a balance, and together they are worthless.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/psalms/62.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie; If they be laid in the balances, they are together lighter than vanity. <a href="/sep/psalms/62.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> But the sons of men are vain; the sons of men are false, so as to be deceitful in the balances; they are all alike formed out of vanity. <a href="/parallel/psalms/62-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=7307" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/psalms/62.htm">Waiting on God</a> …8Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah 9<a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">Lowborn</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">are but</a> <a href="/hebrew/1892.htm" title="1892: he·ḇel (N-ms) -- Or Habel; from habal; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb.">a vapor,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the exalted</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3577.htm" title="3577: kā·zāḇ (N-ms) -- A lie, falsehood, deceptive thing. From kazab; falsehood; literally or figuratively.">but a lie.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3976.htm" title="3976: bə·mō·zə·na·yim (Prep-b:: N-md) -- Balances, scales. From 'azan; a pair of scales.">Weighed on the scale,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm·māh (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">they</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: la·‘ă·lō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">go up;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3162.htm" title="3162: yā·ḥaḏ (Adv) -- Unitedness. From yachad; properly, a unit, i.e. unitedly.">together</a> <a href="/hebrew/1892.htm" title="1892: mê·he·ḇel (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Or Habel; from habal; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb.">they are but a vapor.</a> 10Place no trust in extortion, or false hope in stolen goods. If your riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/40-17.htm">Isaiah 40:17</a> All the nations are as nothing before Him; He regards them as nothingness and emptiness. <a href="/isaiah/2-22.htm">Isaiah 2:22</a> Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he? <a href="/job/7-17.htm">Job 7:17-18</a> What is man that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart upon him, / that You attend to him every morning, and test him every moment? <a href="/job/14-1.htm">Job 14:1-2</a> “Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:2</a> “Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!” <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:11-12</a> For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone? / For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun? <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:10</a> So banish sorrow from your heart, and cast off pain from your body, for youth and vigor are fleeting. <a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a> You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. <a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24</a> For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, <a href="/1_corinthians/7-31.htm">1 Corinthians 7:31</a> and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away. <a href="/1_john/2-17.htm">1 John 2:17</a> The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. <a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5-6</a> You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah / Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away. <a href="/psalms/144-4.htm">Psalm 144:4</a> Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow. <a href="/proverbs/31-30.htm">Proverbs 31:30</a> Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. <a href="/jeremiah/17-5.htm">Jeremiah 17:5</a> This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.Surely<a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5,11</a> Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah… <a href="/1_samuel/18-5.htm">1 Samuel 18:5,7</a> And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants… <a href="/1_samuel/23-12.htm">1 Samuel 23:12,19,20</a> Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up… of high<a href="/psalms/55-13.htm">Psalm 55:13,14</a> But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance… <a href="/psalms/118-9.htm">Psalm 118:9</a> It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.<a href="/1_samuel/18-21.htm">1 Samuel 18:21-26</a> And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain… laid<a href="/daniel/5-27.htm">Daniel 5:27</a> TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.altogether.<a href="/isaiah/40-15.htm">Isaiah 40:15,17</a> Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/53-3.htm">Altogether</a> <a href="/job/31-6.htm">Balance</a> <a href="/job/6-2.htm">Balances</a> <a href="/psalms/58-8.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/psalms/39-11.htm">Breath</a> <a href="/psalms/49-2.htm">Degree</a> <a href="/james/1-22.htm">Delusion</a> <a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Estate</a> <a href="/psalms/62-6.htm">High</a> <a href="/psalms/49-14.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/psalms/56-7.htm">Low</a> <a href="/psalms/62-4.htm">Position</a> <a href="/job/22-8.htm">Rank</a> <a href="/job/36-21.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/psalms/58-11.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/psalms/59-3.htm">Together</a> <a href="/psalms/41-6.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/job/31-6.htm">Weighed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/74-6.htm">Altogether</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-1.htm">Balance</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-1.htm">Balances</a> <a href="/psalms/71-6.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/psalms/78-33.htm">Breath</a> <a href="/daniel/8-24.htm">Degree</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-29.htm">Delusion</a> <a href="/psalms/136-23.htm">Estate</a> <a href="/psalms/68-14.htm">High</a> <a href="/psalms/66-11.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/psalms/69-6.htm">Low</a> <a href="/psalms/101-7.htm">Position</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-9.htm">Rank</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-7.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/psalms/62-12.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/psalms/65-13.htm">Together</a> <a href="/psalms/78-33.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-2.htm">Weighed</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 62</div>1. <a href="/psalms/62-1.htm">David, professing his confidence in God, discourages his enemies</a> 5. <a href="/psalms/62-5.htm">In the same confidence he encourages the godly</a> 9. <a href="/psalms/62-9.htm">No trust is to be put in worldly things</a> 11. <a href="/psalms/62-11.htm">Power and mercy belong to God</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/62.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/62.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Lowborn men are but a vapor; This phrase emphasizes the transient nature of human life, particularly those of humble status. The imagery of a "vapor" suggests something fleeting and insubstantial, echoing themes found in other wisdom literature such as <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:2</a>, where life is described as "vanity" or "meaningless." The Hebrew word for "vapor" is "hebel," which conveys the idea of breath or mist, emphasizing the brevity and fragility of life. This reflects the biblical understanding that all humans, regardless of status, are temporary and dependent on God for their existence.the exalted are but a lie. Here, the focus shifts to those of high status or wealth, suggesting that their perceived importance is deceptive. The term "lie" implies falsehood or illusion, indicating that worldly power and prestige are not as substantial as they appear. This aligns with the biblical theme that God is the ultimate judge of worth and that human pride is often misplaced. <a href="/proverbs/11-4.htm">Proverbs 11:4</a> and <a href="/james/1-10.htm">James 1:10-11</a> also highlight the futility of relying on riches or status, reinforcing the idea that true value is found in spiritual, not material, wealth.Weighed on the scale, they go up; This imagery of scales suggests judgment or evaluation, a common biblical metaphor for God's assessment of human actions and character. In <a href="/daniel/5-27.htm">Daniel 5:27</a>, the writing on the wall for King Belshazzar includes the phrase "you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting," indicating divine judgment. The idea that they "go up" suggests that when measured against God's standards, both lowborn and exalted individuals are found lacking, emphasizing the equality of all people before God.together they are but a vapor. Reiterating the initial metaphor, this phrase underscores the collective insignificance of humanity when viewed from an eternal perspective. The repetition of "vapor" serves to remind readers of the fleeting nature of life, regardless of social status. This echoes <a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5</a>, which states, "Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure." Theologically, this points to the need for reliance on God rather than human strength or achievement, as only what is done for God will endure.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> Traditionally attributed as the author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/62.htm">Psalm 62</a>, David was the second king of Israel and a man after God's own heart. His life was marked by both triumphs and trials, and his psalms often reflect his deep trust in God amidst adversity. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The nation to whom David belonged and often addressed in his psalms. Israel's history is filled with lessons of reliance on God versus the futility of trusting in human strength or status. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_lowborn_and_the_exalted.htm">The Lowborn and the Exalted</a> These terms refer to people of different social standings. In this verse, both are depicted as ultimately insubstantial when compared to God's eternal nature.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_transience_of_human_life.htm">The Transience of Human Life</a> Recognize that both the lowborn and the exalted are temporary and insubstantial. Our lives are fleeting, like a vapor, and should be lived with an awareness of eternity. <a href="/topical/t/the_deception_of_earthly_status.htm">The Deception of Earthly Status</a> Earthly status and achievements are ultimately deceptive and cannot provide true security or worth. Our identity and value should be rooted in our relationship with God. <a href="/topical/g/god's_eternal_perspective.htm">God's Eternal Perspective</a> In God's eyes, human distinctions of status and power are meaningless. We should seek to view ourselves and others through the lens of God's eternal truth. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a> Place your trust in God rather than in human strength or social standing. He alone is our rock and salvation, providing stability in a world of uncertainty. <a href="/topical/l/living_with_humility.htm">Living with Humility</a> Embrace humility, recognizing that all people, regardless of status, are equal before God. This perspective fosters compassion and unity within the body of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_62.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 62</a> <a href="/q/how_do_psalm_62_9_and_genesis_1_27_align.htm">Psalm 62:9 suggests all people are “nothing” in comparison to God—how does this align with other passages like Genesis 1:27 that emphasize human value? </a> <a href="/q/why_is_injustice_present_in_psalm_62.htm">In Psalm 62, why is there still rampant injustice (verses 3, 9-10) if God truly is the believer's secure refuge?</a> <a href="/q/is_psalm_69_originally_about_jesus.htm">Psalm 69 is frequently seen as messianic--what evidence exists that the text was originally about Jesus rather than solely about the psalmist's circumstances?</a> <a href="/q/psalm_4_2__who_are_the_'sons_of_men'.htm">Psalm 4:2: How do we verify who “sons of men” refers to historically, and is there archaeological evidence linking this phrase to a specific group or time period? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/62.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) Are vanity.--Or, mere breath.To be laid in the balance.--Literally, in the balances to go up, which may mean in the scales they must go up, i.e., kick the beam. But a slight change in one letter gives the more probable, when weighed in the scales.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/62.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 9-12. - "Here the psalmist becomes didactic" (Professor Cheyne). He encourages the faithful, and warns the wicked, by the declaration that men of every sort "are but vanity" - have no strength, no permanence - while power belongs only to God. Those who "oppress" and "rob" are, consequently, not to be feared - there is no strength in riches - God alone determines the issues of things. Unto him belongs mercy, or loving kindness - a quality which leads him not only to forgive men their transgressions, but to "reward" them, when, by his assisting grace, they have done good works. Verse 9. - Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie; rather, only vanity - or, nought but vanity - are men of low degree; common men, as we call them - mere sons of Adam. This is too evident for dispute; but, in the view of the psalmist, this is not the worst. "Men of high degree" (beney ish) are no better - they are "a lie" - an unreality - a fading, false illusion. To be laid in the balance; rather, in the balance, they go up (Hupfeld, Ewald Hitzig, Revised Version). They are altogether lighter than vanity; or, altogether made out of vanity (Kay); i.e. there is no substance, no solidity, in them. <a href="/commentaries/psalms/62-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Lowborn בְּנֵֽי־ (bə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son men אָדָם֮ (’ā·ḏām) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> Ruddy, a human being [are] but אַ֤ךְ ׀ (’aḵ) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> A particle of affirmation, surely a vapor; הֶ֥בֶל (he·ḇel) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1892.htm">Strong's 1892: </a> Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory the exalted בְּנֵ֫י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son but a lie. כָּזָ֪ב (kā·zāḇ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3577.htm">Strong's 3577: </a> A lie, falsehood, deceptive thing Weighed on the scale, בְּמֹאזְנַ֥יִם (bə·mō·zə·na·yim) Preposition-b | Noun - md <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3976.htm">Strong's 3976: </a> A pair of scales they הֵ֝֗מָּה (hêm·māh) Pronoun - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> They are pushed up; לַעֲל֑וֹת (la·‘ă·lō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> To ascend, in, actively together יָֽחַד׃ (yā·ḥaḏ) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3162.htm">Strong's 3162: </a> A unit, unitedly they are but a breath. מֵהֶ֥בֶל (mê·he·ḇel) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1892.htm">Strong's 1892: </a> Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/62-9.htm">Psalm 62:9 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/psalms/62-9.htm">Psalm 62:9 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/psalms/62-9.htm">Psalm 62:9 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/psalms/62-9.htm">Psalm 62:9 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/psalms/62-9.htm">Psalm 62:9 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/62-9.htm">Psalm 62:9 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/62-9.htm">Psalm 62:9 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/62-9.htm">Psalm 62:9 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/62-9.htm">Psalm 62:9 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/psalms/62-9.htm">Psalm 62:9 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/psalms/62-9.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 62:9 Surely men of low degree are just (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/62-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 62:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 62:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/62-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 62:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 62:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>