“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.”
The assertion that all people are a breath indicates the fundamental insignificance of human power and status when compared to God. The reference to those of low estate being vanity and those of high estate being a lie articulates that no human power—whether humble or exalted—provides lasting security or meaning. The image of being placed on a scale and found entirely lighter than a breath suggests the insubstantiality of human effort when set against divine reality. This verse provides the anthropological foundation for trust in God: human resources are fundamentally insufficient.
Church Fathers on Psalms 62:9
1. The title of it is, “Unto the end, in behalf of Idithun, a Psalm to David himself.” I recollect that already to you has been explained what Idithun is....Let us see how far he has leaped over, and whom he has “leaped over,” and in what place, though he has leaped over certain men, he is situate, whence as from a kind of spiritual and secure position he may behold what is below....He being set, I say, in a certain fortified place, does say, “Shall not my soul be subject to…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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