Proverbs 20:28

28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.

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Proverbs 20:28 in Other Translations

KJV

28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

ESV

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

NLT

28 Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.

MSG

28 Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity.

CSB

28 Loyalty and faithfulness deliver a king; through loyalty he maintains his throne.

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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible