Psalms 62:9 - Exposition

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.