Proverbs 20:28

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

Proverbs 20:28 in Other Translations

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

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

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

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

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Proverbs 20:28 In-Context

26 A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.

27 The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD that sheds light on one’s inmost being.

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

29 The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.

30 Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 40:11
• 2. S Proverbs 16:12; Isaiah 16:5; Proverbs 29:14