Revised Version 1895
Psalms 37:16
16Better is a little that the righteous hath than the abundance of many wicked.
Psalms 37:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
- New International Version (NIV)Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;
- English Standard Version (ESV)Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A little that a righteous man has Is better than the riches of many wicked.
Context of Psalms 37:16
14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow; to cast down the poor and needy, to slay such as be upright in the way: 15Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. Better is a little that the righteous hath than the abundance of many wicked. 17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. 18The LORD knoweth the days of the perfect: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
Read all of Psalms 37Psalms 37:16 word by word
טוֹב־מְ֭עַט לַצַּדִּ֑יק מֵ֝הֲמ֗וֹן רְשָׁעִ֥ים רַבִּֽים׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Psalms 37:16
- Proverbs 3:33The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked; but he blesseth the habitation of the righteous.
- Proverbs 13:25The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
- Proverbs 15:16Better is little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure and trouble therewith.
- Proverbs 16:8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
- Proverbs 30:9Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and use profanely the name of my God.
- Ecclesiastes 2:26For to the man that pleaseth him God giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that pleaseth God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
- Ecclesiastes 4:6Better is an handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and striving after wind.
- Matthew 6:11Give us this day our daily bread.
- 1 Timothy 6:6But godliness with contentment is great gain:
Commentaries on Psalms 37:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16A 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.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16A 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. There are two things implied here: (a) that it happens not unfrequently that the righteous have little of the wealth of this world; and (b) that this little is to them of more real value, accompanied, as it is, with higher blessings, than the more abundant wealth which the wicked…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-20Verses 7-20 Let us be satisfied that God will make all to work for good to us. Let us not discompose ourselves at what we see in this world. A fretful, discontented spirit is open to many temptations. For, in all respects, the little which is allotted to the righteous, is more comfortable and more profitable than the ill-gotten and abused riches of ungodly men. It comes from a hand of special love. God provides plentifully and well, not only for his…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16It is better to be wise with little money than to be rich and evil (Proverbs 15:16; 16:8, 19; 17:1; 28:6).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. riches--literally, "noise and tumult," as incidental to much wealth (compare Psa 39:6). Thus the contrast with the "little" of one man is more vivid.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 37:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 37
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Revised Version 1895 — 1895 — Public Domain
Commentaries