Psalms 37:16
Psalms 37:16 in Multiple Translations
Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked.
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
Better is a little that the righteous hath Than the abundance of many wicked.
The little which the good man has is better than the wealth of evil-doers.
It's better to do right and only have a little, than to be wicked and rich.
A small thing vnto the iust man is better, then great riches to the wicked and mightie.
Better [is] the little of the righteous, Than the store of many wicked.
Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked.
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
For in thee, O Lord, have I hoped: thou wilt hear me, O Lord my God.
It is good to be righteous/godly even if you do not have many possessions, but it is bad to be wicked, even if you are very wealthy,
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 37:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 37:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
טוֹב
מְ֭עַט
לַ/צַּדִּ֑יק
מֵ֝/הֲמ֗וֹן
רְשָׁעִ֥ים
רַבִּֽים
טוֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
מְ֭עַט
mᵉʻaṭ
H4592
little
N-ms
לַ/צַּדִּ֑יק
tsaddîyq
H6662
righteous
Prep | Adj
מֵ֝/הֲמ֗וֹן
hâmôwn
H1995
crowd
Prep | N-ms
רְשָׁעִ֥ים
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
רַבִּֽים
rab
H7227
many
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 37:16
טוֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
מְ֭עַט
mᵉʻaṭ
H4592
"little"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means something is small or little in amount, like a few people or a short time. It appears in various Bible translations as almost, few, or small. In the Bible, it often describes something that is limited or lacking.
Definition: 1) littleness, few, a little, fewness 1a) little, small, littleness, fewness, too little, yet a little 1b) like a little, within a little, almost, just, hardly, shortly, little worth
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: almost (some, very) few(-er, -est), lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some, soon, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 18:4; Job 15:11; Psalms 2:12.
לַ/צַּדִּ֑יק
tsaddîyq
H6662
"righteous"
Prep | Adj
Means being just or righteous, as seen in government, personal conduct, or character, often describing someone made right with God. It appears in descriptions of King David and other biblical leaders. The concept is central to the Bible's teachings on morality and ethics.
Definition: 1) just, lawful, righteous 1a) just, righteous (in government) 1b) just, right (in one's cause) 1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character) 1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God) 1e) right, correct, lawful
Usage: Occurs in 197 OT verses. KJV: just, lawful, righteous (man). See also: Genesis 6:9; Proverbs 10:31; Psalms 1:5.
מֵ֝/הֲמ֗וֹן
hâmôwn
H1995
"crowd"
Prep | N-ms
Being in a state of turmoil or having a lot of noise is what this Hebrew word means. It can also refer to a large crowd or abundance of something, like in the book of Proverbs where it describes a multitude of people.
Definition: 1) murmur, roar, crowd, abundance, tumult, sound 1a) sound, murmur, rush, roar 1b) tumult, confusion 1c) crowd, multitude 1d) great number, abundance 1e) abundance, wealth
Usage: Occurs in 78 OT verses. KJV: abundance, company, many, multitude, multiply, noise, riches, rumbling, sounding, store, tumult. See also: Genesis 17:4; Isaiah 33:3; Psalms 37:16.
רְשָׁעִ֥ים
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
רַבִּֽים
rab
H7227
"many"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
Study Notes — Psalms 37:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 37:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 37:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 37:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 37:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 37:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 37:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 37:16
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 37:16
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 37:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 37:16
- Sermons on Psalms 37:16
Context — Delight Yourself in the LORD
14The wicked have drawn the sword and bent the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.
15But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
16Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked.
17For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. 18The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their inheritance will last forever.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 16:8 | Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice. |
| 2 | Proverbs 15:16–17 | Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. |
| 3 | 1 Timothy 6:6 | Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. |
| 4 | Proverbs 13:25 | A righteous man eats to his heart’s content, but the stomach of the wicked is empty. |
| 5 | Proverbs 3:33 | The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous. |
| 6 | Ecclesiastes 4:6 | Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind. |
| 7 | Matthew 6:11 | Give us this day our daily bread. |
| 8 | Proverbs 30:9 | Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God. |
| 9 | Ecclesiastes 2:26 | To the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He assigns the task of gathering and accumulating that which he will hand over to one who pleases God. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. |
Psalms 37:16 Summary
[Psalms 37:16 teaches us that it's better to have a small amount of something if it's obtained through righteous means, rather than a lot of something that's obtained through wicked means. This verse is encouraging us to prioritize living a righteous life over pursuing wealth or material possessions. As it says in Proverbs 15:16, 'Better is a little with fear of the Lord than great treasure and turmoil with it.' By trusting in God's provision and living a righteous life, we can experience true contentment and peace, as promised in Matthew 6:33, 'But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.']
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for something to be 'better' in the context of Psalms 37:16?
In this verse, 'better' refers to the idea that having a small amount of something, such as material possessions or wealth, is more desirable if it is obtained through righteous means, rather than having a large amount of something that is obtained through wicked or unrighteous means, as seen in Proverbs 15:16 which says, 'Better is a little with fear of the Lord than great treasure and turmoil with it.'
How does this verse relate to the concept of contentment?
Psalms 37:16 teaches us that contentment is not found in the abundance of possessions, but in living a righteous life, as supported by 1 Timothy 6:6 which says, 'But godliness with contentment is great gain.'
What is the comparison being made in Psalms 37:16?
The comparison is between the 'little' that the righteous have and the 'abundance' that the wicked have, emphasizing that the source and nature of one's possessions are more important than the quantity, as seen in Psalms 37:17 which says, 'For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.'
How does this verse apply to our everyday lives?
This verse encourages us to prioritize living a righteous life over pursuing wealth or material possessions, and to trust that God will provide for our needs, as promised in Matthew 6:33 which says, 'But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.'
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I prioritize wealth or material possessions over living a righteous life, and how can I begin to make a change?
- How can I cultivate a sense of contentment and trust in God's provision, even when I don't have everything I want or need?
- What does it mean for me to 'seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness' in my daily life, and how can I apply this principle in practical ways?
- How can I balance the desire for financial security with the need to trust in God's provision and live a righteous life?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 37:16
A little that a righteous man hath,.... It is the portion of the righteous, for the most part, to have but little of this world's goods; some indeed have been rich, as Abraham, Lot, David, Joseph of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 37:16
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 37:16
Because he hath it with many great and glorious advantages, with God’ s favour and blessings, with great serenity, and satisfaction of his own mind, which is infinitely more desirable and comfortable than all earthly possessions; with the consolations of God’ s Spirit, and the assurance of everlasting felicity; whilst wicked men’ s riches are loaded with many encumbrances, with the wrath and curse of God, the torment of their own consciences and passions, and the dreadful expectation of an after-reckoning, and of endless miseries.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 37:16
Psalms 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath [is] better than the riches of many wicked.Ver. 16. A little that the righteous man hath, &c.] Whereas it was said before, the meek shall inherit the earth, some man might object that sach are commonly poor enough; and that is no small affliction, as the heathens (Menander, Euripides, Alcus, &c.) have affirmed; and experience assureth it. Hereunto it is answered that "a little that the righteous man hath is better," &c., as a box of pearls is more worth than many loads of pebbles. And as a bird with a little eye, and the advantage of a wing to soar with, may see far wider than an ox with a greater; so the righteous, with a little estate, joined with faith, tranquillity, and devotion, may have mere pleasure, feel more comfort, see more of God’ s bounty, than one of vast possessions, whose heart cannot lift itself above the earth, as one well observeth. Some render it thus, Better is the little of one righteous man than the plenteous mammon of many wicked. The bee is as well (if not better) content with feeding on the dew, or sucking from a flower, as Behemoth, that grazeth on the mountains. Here the psalmist speaketh, saith Vatablus, of the secret blessing of God; Quia etsi in diem victitent, e caelo tamen non secus ac manna pascuntur; for although they have but from hand to mouth, yet they are fed from heaven, as it were, with manna.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 37:16
(16) A little.—A natural reflection, when it is remembered that great riches bring corresponding cares (Proverbs 15:16), and often lead to ruinous indulgence and luxury (Proverbs 13:25; Job 20:12.) Besides, the contentment which is often enjoyed in virtuous poverty seldom dwells with the mammon of unrighteousness.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 37:16
Verse 16. A little that a righteous man hath] This is a solid maxim. Whatever a good man has, has God's blessing in it; even the blessings of the wicked are cursed.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 37:16
12–20. Disappointment and destruction are the destiny of the wicked.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 37:16
A little that a righteous man hath - literally, “Good is a little to the righteous, more than,” etc. Our translation, however, has expressed the sense with sufficient accuracy.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 37:16
16. Little that a righteous man hath—Because it sufficeth for all natural and reasonable want, and is received with gratitude and contentment, is better, etc.
Sermons on Psalms 37:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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God's People Will Never Be Ashamed by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in God during times of fear and calamity. It highlights the need to commit to God's promises, believe in His ability to work mirac |
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God's People Will Never Be Ashamed in the Time of Calamity by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in God during times of fear and calamity, highlighting the need to commit to God's promises and believe in His ability to work mir |
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The Great Divide by Chuck Smith | This sermon focuses on the great divide between those who serve God faithfully and those who have forsaken Him, as depicted in Matthew 25. It emphasizes the importance of worshipin |
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(How to Understand the Kjv Bible) 45 Psalm 37 by Keith Simons | Keith Simons teaches on Psalm 37, emphasizing David's reflections on the fate of the righteous versus the wicked. He encourages believers not to fret over evildoers, as their prosp |
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True Poverty of Spirit by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the concept of true poverty of spirit, illustrating how the human heart is ensnared by a fierce desire for material possessions, which distracts from a genuin |
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The Perils of Possessions by John Henry Jowett | John Henry Jowett preaches about the divisive nature of wealth, highlighting how riches can lead to alienation within families and the awakening of hidden vices. Success often bree |
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Psalms 127 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the futility of relying on human effort to build the church and protect our cities, reminding us that without the Lord's involvement, all labor is in vain. H |