Psalm 37:16
ESV
Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.
NIV
Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;
NASB
Better is the little of the righteous Than the abundance of many wicked.
CSB
The little that the righteous person has is better than the abundance of many wicked people.
NLT
It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich.
KJV
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
NKJV
A little that a righteous man has Is better than the riches of many wicked.
What does Psalm 37:16 mean?
Scripture always counsels us to look at life from an eternal perspective. Whatever earthly gains we see in the lives of the wicked are just that: temporary. Eternity will not be kind to those who profit from evil. David concludes that it's better to have little, from a worldly perspective, and to be righteous, than to be evil (Matthew 16:26).Asaph, who wrote Psalm 73, was envious of the prosperous wicked until he entered the sanctuary and quietly assessed the situation. He concluded that the Lord would destroy the wicked. They would perish, but the Lord would always be with him and guide him throughout his life and then welcome him to heaven (Psalm 73:2–3, 16–17). In his first letter to Timothy the apostle Paul instructed Timothy to advise wealthy people not to rely too much on money, but to trust in God (1 Timothy 6:17). He added in the same verse that God "richly provides us with everything to enjoy." We can say with David, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1).
Psalm 37:12–20 continues David's discussion of the differences between the wicked and the righteous. Although the wicked seem to prosper and violently oppose the righteous, the righteous can trust the Lord to care for them. For those who honor God, whatever little they have is better than the abundance of wicked people. Believers have the Lord and will inherit good, eternal things. The wicked have nothing to look forward to in eternity other than condemnation.
In this psalm, David contrasts the way God protects and saves His people, contrasted with the ruin which awaits the wicked. Much of this seems to be based on David's own experiences (Psalm 37:25, 35). As with many other passages in Psalms and Proverbs, this passage encourages godly wisdom. Those who reject God and His ways can expect uncertainty on earth and disaster in eternity.
