God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 20:28
28Mercy and truth protect a king, and with mercy he maintains his throne.
Proverbs 20:28 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
- New International Version (NIV)Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Mercy and truth preserve the king, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.
Context of Proverbs 20:28
26A wise king scatters the wicked and then runs them over. 27A person’s soul is the Lord’s lamp. It searches his entire innermost being. Mercy and truth protect a king, and with mercy he maintains his throne. 29While the glory of young men is their strength, the splendor of older people is their silver hair. 30Brutal beatings cleanse away wickedness. Such beatings cleanse the innermost being.
Read all of Proverbs 20Proverbs 20:28 word by word
חֶ֣סֶד וֶ֭אֱמֶת יִצְּרוּ־מֶ֑לֶךְ וְסָעַ֖ד בַּחֶ֣סֶד כִּסְאֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 20:28
- Proverbs 16:6By mercy and faithfulness, peace is made with the Lord. By the fear of the Lord, evil is avoided.
- Psalms 61:7May he sit enthroned in the presence of God forever. May mercy and truth protect him.
- Psalms 101:1I will sing about mercy and justice. O Lord, I will make music to praise you.
- Proverbs 16:12Wrongdoing is disgusting to kings because a throne is established through righteousness.
- Proverbs 29:14When a king judges the poor with honesty, his throne will always be secure.
- Psalms 21:7Indeed, the king trusts the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High, he will not be moved.
- Psalms 26:1Judge me favorably, O Lord, because I have walked with integrity and I have trusted you without wavering.
- Isaiah 16:5Then the Lord will set up a trusted king. He will rule faithfully. He is from the tent of David. He judges and searches for justice. He is quick to do what is right.
Commentaries on Proverbs 20:28
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 28Mercy and truth preserve the king - These are the brightest jewels in the royal crown; and those kings who are most governed by them have the stablest government.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 28Verse 28 Mercy and truth are the glories of God's throne.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 28God's constant love and loyalty are linked to his agreement with his people (see Exodus 34:5–7; Deuteronomy 7:7–9). The king acts as God's representative on earth, so God will guard him (see 2 Samuel 7).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2828. (Compare Pr 3:3; 16:6, 12).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 20:28
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries