Psalms 37:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Better the little that the righteous has than the wealth of all the wicked.

Berean Standard Bible:

Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked.

American Standard Version:

Better is a little that the righteous hath Than the abundance of many wicked.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

A little{H4592} that a righteous man{H6662} hath is better{H2896} than the riches{H1995} of many{H7227} wicked{H7563}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Proverbs 16:8

  • ¶ Better [is] a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

Proverbs 15:16

  • ¶ Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Proverbs 15:17

  • Better [is] a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

1 Timothy 6:6

  • ¶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Proverbs 13:25

  • ¶ The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

Proverbs 3:33

  • The curse of the LORD [is] in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

Proverbs 30:9

  • Lest I be full, and deny [thee], and say, Who [is] the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God [in vain].

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Commentary for Psalms 37:16

Psalm 37:16 is part of a wisdom psalm attributed to David, which contrasts the lives of the righteous and the wicked. The verse reflects on the quality of life and the value of possessions, emphasizing that the modest possessions of a righteous person are preferable to the abundant wealth of the wicked. This sentiment is rooted in the understanding that material wealth obtained unrighteously is ultimately of little value, while the security and contentment that come from living a life in accordance with God's will are of greater worth.

Historically, this verse speaks to the ancient Israelite audience, who would have been familiar with the concept of righteousness as adherence to God's law and the idea that true prosperity is not measured by wealth alone. In the broader context of the psalm, it encourages trust in the Lord and living a life of integrity, suggesting that such a life, even if materially modest, is richer in what truly matters and will ultimately be vindicated by God. The verse underscores the biblical theme that moral integrity and faith are more precious than transient earthly treasures.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H4592
    There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מְעַט
    Transliteration: mᵉʻaṭ
    Pronunciation: meh-at'
    Description: or מְעָט; from מָעַט; a little or few (often adverbial or compar.); almost (some, very) few(-er, -est), lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some, soon, [idiom] very.
  2. Strong's Number: H6662
    There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צַדִּיק
    Transliteration: tsaddîyq
    Pronunciation: tsad-deek'
    Description: from צָדַק; just; just, lawful, righteous (man).
  3. Strong's Number: H2896
    There are 517 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: טוֹב
    Transliteration: ṭôwb
    Pronunciation: tobe
    Description: from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well); 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).
  4. Strong's Number: H1995
    There are 78 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: הָמוֹן
    Transliteration: hâmôwn
    Pronunciation: haw-mone'
    Description: or הָמֹן; (Ezekiel 5:7), from הָמָה; a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth; abundance, company, many, multitude, multiply, noise, riches, rumbling, sounding, store, tumult.
  5. Strong's Number: H7227
    There are 439 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רַב
    Transliteration: rab
    Pronunciation: rab
    Description: by contracted from רָבַב; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality); (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).
  6. Strong's Number: H7563
    There are 249 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רָשָׁע
    Transliteration: râshâʻ
    Pronunciation: raw-shaw'
    Description: from רָשַׁע; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person; [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.