The language of this verse is similar to that in Psa 75.7. It continues the series of stark contrasts started in verse 4 above.

Makes poor: the parallelism and larger context of this verse suggest that those whom God makes poor were formerly rich, not simply that the poor have always been poor. Unfortunately Good News Translation gives a different impression. It should not be taken as a model in this case. Rather translators should consider saying “causes people who were rich to be poor and those who were poor to become rich.”

Brings low is the opposite of exalts. The vocabulary used here is very similar to certain New Testament passages (Matt 23.12; Luke 14.11). But the difference is that here it is stated clearly that it is the LORD who does both the humbling and the exalting.

The verb exalts may be translated in some languages as “causes to be respected” or “causes people to honor.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .