Psalm 62:9
Parallel Verses
New International Version
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.


English Standard Version
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.


New American Standard Bible
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.


King James Bible
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.


Holman Christian Standard Bible
Men are only a vapor; exalted men, an illusion. Weighed in the scales, they go up; together they are less than a vapor.


International Standard Version
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.


American Standard Version
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.


Douay-Rheims Bible
But vain are the sons of men, the sons of men are liars in the balances: that by vanity they may together deceive.


Darby Bible Translation
Men of low degree are only vanity; men of high degree, a lie: laid in the balance, they go up together lighter than vanity.


Young's Literal Translation
Only -- vanity are the low, a lie the high. In balances to go up they than vanity are lighter.


Commentaries
62:8-12 Those who have found the comfort of the ways of God themselves, will invite others into those ways; we shall never have the less for others sharing with us. the good counsel given is, to trust wholly in God. We must so trust in him at all times, as not at any time to put that trust in ourselves, or in any creature, which is to be put in him only. Trust in him to guide us when in doubt, to protect us when in danger, to supply us when in want, to strengthen us for every good word and work. We must lay out wants and our wishes before him, and then patiently submit our wills to his: this is pouring out our hearts. God is a refuge for all, even for as many as will take shelter in him. The psalmist warns against trusting in men. The multitude, those of low degree, are changeable as the wind. The rich and noble seem to have much in their power, and lavish promises; but those that depend on them, are disappointed. Weighed in the balance of Scripture, all that man can do to make us happy is lighter than vanity itself. It is hard to have riches, and not to trust in them if they increase, though by lawful and honest means; but we must take heed, lest we set our affections unduly upon them. A smiling world is the most likely to draw the heart from God, on whom alone it should be set. The consistent believer receives all from God as a trust; and he seeks to use it to his glory, as a steward who must render an account. God hath spoken as it were once for all, that power belongs to him alone. He can punish and destroy. Mercy also belongs to him; and his recompensing the imperfect services of those that believe in him, blotting out their transgressions for the Redeemer's sake, is a proof of abundant mercy, and encourages us to trust in him. Let us trust in his mercy and grace, and abound in his work, expecting mercies from him alone.

9. No kind of men are reliable, compared with God (Isa 2:22; Jer 17:5).

altogether—alike, one as the other (Ps 34:3).

Psalm 62:8
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