Proverbs 20:28

28 1Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his 2throne is upheld.

Proverbs 20:28 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 20:28

Mercy and truth preserve the king
Which are two good qualifications in a prince; not ruling his subjects with rigour and cruelty, but with tenderness and clemency; easing them as much as he can of burdens and pressures; showing compassion to the distressed, and pardoning delinquents when the case will admit of it; as also being faithful to his word, promises, and engagements; inviolably adhering to the laws and constitution of the nation, and steady in his administrations of justice; these preserve him in the affections of his people, and make him safe and secure on his throne; and because of these the Lord preserves him from his enemies. It maybe rendered, "grace and truth" F12; and applied to Christ, who is full of both, and which are said to preserve him, ( Psalms 40:11 ) ; and his throne is upholden by mercy;
this explains what is meant by the preservation of him, and what is the security of his throne and kingdom, which is clemency and goodness to his subjects.


FOOTNOTES:

F12 (tmaw dox) "gratis et veritas", Cocceius.

Proverbs 20:28 In-Context

26 A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts.
28 Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.
29 The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.

Cross References 2

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.