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.

PSALMS 62:9KJV
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Psalms 62:9 (KJV)

What does Psalms 62:9 mean?

Psalms 62:9 says that both people of low status and people of high status are ultimately insubstantial and unreliable; when weighed or measured, all people together are lighter than "vanity," meaning they have little real substance or lasting value. The verse warns against putting trust or confidence in human status or power.

King David is speaking in this psalm, addressing anyone who might be tempted to trust in people rather than God. The verse uses the image of scales to show that, whether someone is poor or powerful, human worth on its own does not amount to much. This fits the psalm’s larger theme of urging trust in God alone, not in people or their positions.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 62:9

  • "vanity" (הֶבֶל, hebel): This word means "emptiness," "vapor," or "something fleeting." It emphasizes how people, no matter their status, are temporary and unsubstantial.
  • "lie" (כָּזָב, kazav): Here, "lie" suggests something deceptive or unreliable. High-status people may appear important, but that appearance is misleading.
  • "balance" (מְאֹזֵן, mozen): The image of a balance or scale highlights the idea of weighing true worth, showing that human status does not tip the scales in any meaningful way.

Why Psalms 62:9 matters

  • Psalms 62:9 clears up the idea that social status or power gives a person real value; the verse insists that, before God, these things are empty.
  • The verse emphasizes the main point of the psalm: only God is truly dependable, while people—no matter their position—are not.
  • This verse connects to the surrounding verses, which warn against trusting in oppression, wealth, or human strength, reinforcing the call to trust in God alone.

Where else these words appear

“balance” Hebrew H3976 · used in 15 verses

  • Leviticus 19:36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.
  • Proverbs 16:11 A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.
  • Ezekiel 5:1 And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the hair.

“lie” Hebrew H3577 · used in 31 verses

  • Judges 16:10 And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.
  • Proverbs 19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
  • Ezekiel 13:8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.

“vanity” Hebrew H1892 · used in 64 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
  • Ecclesiastes 7:15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.

“altogether” Hebrew H3162 · used in 139 verses

  • Genesis 13:6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
  • Job 24:4 They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.
  • Isaiah 41:1 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.