Albert Barnes Commentary 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." — Psalms 62:9 (ASV)

Surely men of low degree are vanity - literally, “vanity are the sons of Adam,” but the word Adam here is evidently used to represent men, or the human race. The same word is also used particularly to represent common men, or men of the humbler rank, in contrast to the word אישׁ ('ı̂ysh)—which is the other word used here, and translated as “men of high degree.” (Compare to Hosea 6:7 for this use of the word). The same antithesis between the two words is found in Isaiah 2:9 and Isaiah 5:15.

The idea here is that in the great matters that pertain to us, we cannot depend on men, and our hope—our trust—must be in God. Of men of the humbler or lower classes, it is said that they are “vanity”; that is, they are like a vain, empty, unsubstantial thing.

They cannot help us. It is useless to rely on them when we most need aid.

Men of high degree are a lie - Men of exalted rank, kings, princes, nobles. This does not refer to their personal character, as if they were always false, deceitful, or treacherous; but the idea is that any prospect of protection or aid from men of rank and station—from any power that they wield—is not to be relied upon. It is not what we need; it is not what we can depend on.

To be laid in the balance - literally, “In the scales to go up”; that is, they are seen to go up, or to show how light they are. They have no real weight, no real value. Regarding the scales or balance, see the notes on Daniel 5:27.

They are altogether lighter than vanity - They are all vain; single or combined, they have no power to save us. The meaning is not that if these two ranks of persons were weighed against each other, they would both be found to be vanity. Rather, it is true of every rank of men—high and low, whether single or combined—that, when weighed against our interests and needs, they are nothing. All the kings of the earth with all their armies, all princes and nobles with all that they can summon from the lower ranks of their people, cannot save one soul from death—cannot deliver us from the consequences of our transgressions. God, and God alone, can do this.