Psalms Chapter 62 verse 9 Holy Bible

ASV Psalms 62:9

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.
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BBE Psalms 62:9

Truly men of low birth are nothing, and men of high position are not what they seem; if they are put in the scales together they are less than a breath.
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DARBY Psalms 62:9

Men of low degree are only vanity; men of high degree, a lie: laid in the balance, they go up together [lighter] than vanity.
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KJV Psalms 62:9

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.
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WBT Psalms 62:9

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
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WEB Psalms 62:9

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.
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YLT Psalms 62:9

Only -- vanity `are' the low, a lie the high. In balances to go up they than vanity `are' lighter.
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Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerses 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.

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(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.