King James Version

What Does Psalms 62:9 Mean?

Psalms 62:9 in the King James Version says “Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether li...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 62 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. altogether: or, alike”

Psalms 62:9 · KJV

Context

7

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

8

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

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. altogether: or, alike

10

Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

11

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. power: or, strength

Read Psalms 62 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The vanity of human stations—'men of low degree' and 'men of high degree'—levels all humanity before God. Being 'lighter than vanity' when weighed in balances indicates complete worthlessness apart from God. This echoes Ecclesiastes's 'vanity of vanities' (Ecclesiastes 1:2) and anticipates Paul's teaching that all have sinned (Romans 3:23), showing human merit cannot bear weight in divine scales.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient balances/scales were used for both commerce and symbolic justice. The image of weighing humans and finding them wanting anticipates Daniel's interpretation of Belshazzar's doom: 'Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting' (Daniel 5:27).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing all humans as 'lighter than vanity' affect both pride and despair?
  2. What alone has weight/worth in God's balances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
אַ֤ךְ׀1 of 12
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

מֵהֶ֥בֶל2 of 12

“lighter than vanity”

H1892

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb

בְּנֵֽי3 of 12
H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָם֮4 of 12

“Surely men”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

כָּזָ֪ב5 of 12

“of high degree are a lie”

H3577

falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol)

בְּנֵ֫י6 of 12
H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אִ֥ישׁ7 of 12

“and men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בְּמֹאזְנַ֥יִם8 of 12

“in the balance”

H3976

(only in the dual) a pair of scales

לַעֲל֑וֹת9 of 12

“to be laid”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

הֵ֝֗מָּה10 of 12
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

מֵהֶ֥בֶל11 of 12

“lighter than vanity”

H1892

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb

יָֽחַד׃12 of 12

“they are altogether”

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 62:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 62:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 39:5Isaiah 40:17Isaiah 40:15Psalms 118:9Psalms 39:11Psalms 116:11

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