Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Psalms

Psalms 
Day 
Day 294

Psalm 37:17b "The LORD upholds the righteous..."

Day 294 – Psalm 37

“The LORD upholds the righteous…” Psalm 37:17b

POVERTY VERSUS WEALTH

Poverty is not an easy thing to understand or accept. Wealth seems more attractive by far. What should resolve this difficulty? Let us ponder this word of wisdom.

“A little that a righteous man has
Is better than the riches of the wicked.
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
But the LORD upholds the righteous.”
Psalm 37:16-17

1. A greater issue

a) The text urges us to consider a greater issue.
b) The issue is not just poverty versus wealth.
c) The more important issue is that of righteousness versus wickedness.

2. The little that the righteous man has

a) Wealth is in a way relative.
b) The righteous may not have as much wealth as the wicked.
c) But righteousness far outweighs mere wealth.

3. The riches of the wicked

a) He may possess great riches.
b) He may have obtained his wealth through wicked means (Psalm 37:12, 14-15).

4. Ultimately

a) The arms of the wicked would be broken.
b) He would suffer the fate that all the wicked would inherit!
c) The righteous on the other hand would be upheld by the Lord.
d) Thus the lot of the righteous is still far better than that of the wicked!