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Surely men of low degree are just a breath, And men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath.
Verse Takeaways
1
Humanity's Universal Flaw
Commentators unanimously explain that this verse makes a sweeping statement about all humanity. Whether of 'low degree' (the common person) or 'high degree' (the powerful and wealthy), no person is a reliable source for ultimate hope or security. They are described as 'vanity' (a mere breath) and a 'lie' (a false hope), highlighting their inability to save or provide true stability.
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Psalms
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8
18th Century
Presbyterian
Surely men of low degree are vanity - literally, “vanity are the sons of Adam,” but the word Adam here is evidently used to represe…
19th Century
Anglican
Are vanity. —Or, mere breath.
To be laid in the balance. —Literally, in the balances to go up,…
Baptist
Surely men of low degree are vanity,
They promise what they cannot perform.
And men of high degree are a lie:
…
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16th Century
Protestant
Nevertheless, the sons of Adam are vanity. If we take the particle אך, ach, affirmatively, as meaning surely or cert…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Surely men of low degree [are] vanity Or "sons of Adam" {i}; of the earthly man; of fallen Adam; one of his immediate sons was…
Those who have found the comfort of the ways of God themselves will invite others into those ways; we will never have less because others share wit…
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