Psalm 37 16

Psalm 37:16 kjv

A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

Psalm 37:16 nkjv

A little that a righteous man has Is better than the riches of many wicked.

Psalm 37:16 niv

Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;

Psalm 37:16 esv

Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.

Psalm 37:16 nlt

It is better to be godly and have little
than to be evil and rich.

Psalm 37 verses

Psalm 37 16 Meaning

Psalm 37:16 proclaims that the small portion or limited possession belonging to a righteous person is qualitatively superior and more valuable than the great wealth and abundance of many wicked individuals. This verse underscores a divine perspective that prioritizes the blessing, peace, and security found in God-given provision for the righteous, contrasting it with the insecure, ill-gotten, or ultimately unfruitful gains of those estranged from God. It highlights contentment over worldly accumulation and trusts in God's sustained faithfulness over transient human achievements.

Psalm 37 16 Context

Psalm 37 is a didactic wisdom psalm, presented as an acrostic poem (though some letters are missing or appear out of order in the Masoretic Text), intended to instruct believers on how to navigate the common perplexity of seeing the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer or seem to struggle. It urges trust in the Lord, patience, delight in His ways, and doing good, rather than fretting or envying the transient success of evil doers. The central theme revolves around God's ultimate justice and faithfulness to His people. Verse 16 specifically offers a direct contrast, establishing a qualitative measure of blessing that transcends mere material quantity. Historically, such wisdom psalms were vital in societies where immediate material blessing was often perceived as a direct sign of God's favor, thus challenging believers to look beyond surface appearances and trust in divine providence, even amidst trials.

Psalm 37 16 Word analysis

• מְעַט (me'aṭ): "A little," "a small amount." This word emphasizes quantity but is contrasted by quality. It denotes what seems insufficient by worldly standards but is blessed by God. Its significance lies in conveying that spiritual richness is not dependent on material abundance.
• לַצַּדִּיק (la'tzaddiq): "For the righteous." From צַדִּיק (tzaddiq), meaning "just," "righteous," "vindicated." A tzaddiq is not merely one who observes laws, but one who is in a right relationship with God, who walks in His ways, and lives justly. The emphasis is on their character and relationship with the divine.
• מֵהֲמוֹן (mehāmon): "More than the multitude," "from the abundance." The prefix 'מֵ' (me-) means "from" or "than," indicating comparison. הָמוֹן (hamon) signifies a "multitude," "abundance," "great quantity," "tumult," or even a "noisy crowd." Here, it points to vast possessions.
• רְשָׁעִים (rĕšā‘îm): "Of the wicked." From רָשָׁע (rāšā‘), meaning "guilty," "ungodly," "evil." This term refers to those who are morally corrupt, estranged from God, and engage in wicked acts. Their prosperity, though vast, is tainted and fleeting, lacking divine favor and true security.
• Many Wicked (הֲמוֹן רְשָׁעִים): This phrase highlights a quantitative difference coupled with a spiritual/moral distinction. The hamon (multitude/abundance) points to both numerous possessions and possibly the numerous individuals who are wicked, emphasizing that even collective or immense worldly success of those apart from God does not equate to the superior, quiet blessing given to the single righteous individual. It reinforces the idea that the "more" of the wicked is qualitatively less than the "little" of the righteous. This concept confronts the cultural value of visible prosperity as the ultimate good.

Psalm 37 16 Bonus section

This verse contains an implicit polemic against pagan beliefs or worldly philosophies that equated outward prosperity directly with divine favor or absolute success. It teaches a qualitative spiritual truth over a quantitative material illusion. The "better" indicates a superiority not merely in moral standing but also in intrinsic worth and ultimate benefit—the righteous's "little" includes God's presence, protection, and peace, which the wicked's "much" lacks entirely. This foresight of the psalmist points to an understanding of blessing that transcends temporary circumstances, focusing instead on eternal values and God's sovereign hand over the life of His beloved children, irrespective of their visible economic standing. The security of the righteous's 'little' is rooted in the eternal God, whereas the security of the wicked's 'much' is merely in perishable matter.

Psalm 37 16 Commentary

Psalm 37:16 is a profound statement of divine economy that counters human wisdom. It asserts that true value does not reside in material quantity, especially when accumulated by means lacking divine favor. The "little" (me'aṭ) held by the righteous is inherently "better" (ṭôḇ) not because of its size, but because it is blessed by God, acquired with integrity, and comes with contentment, peace, and spiritual security. In contrast, the "great abundance" (hamon) of the wicked, while seemingly impressive, often comes from unrighteousness, is devoid of divine blessing, carries no true satisfaction, and is ultimately fleeting or fraught with anxiety. This verse encourages reliance on God's provision rather than envious comparisons, reminding us that genuine peace and contentment stem from one's relationship with the Almighty, not from earthly possessions. For example, a modest meal shared in peace within a God-fearing home is spiritually richer than a lavish banquet steeped in contention and pride.