Proverbs 20:28

Proverbs 20:28 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.

Context of Proverbs 20:28

26A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them. 27The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being. Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure. 29The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. 30Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.

Proverbs 20:28 word by word

חֶ֣סֶד וֶ֭אֱמֶת יִצְּרוּ־מֶ֑לֶךְ וְסָעַ֖ד בַּחֶ֣סֶד כִּסְאֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Mercyחֶ֫סֶדchêsêd · kindnessH2617
• and truthאֱמֶת'emeth · truth: faithfulH571
• preserveנָצַרnâtsar · to watchH5341
• the kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• and his throneכִּסֵּאkissê' kissêh · throneH3678
• is upholdenסָעַדsâ‛ad · to supportH5582

Cross-references for Proverbs 20:28

• Proverbs 16:6Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
• Psalms 61:7May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.
• Psalms 101:1I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise.
• Proverbs 16:12Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.
• Proverbs 29:14If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever.
• Psalms 21:7For the king trusts in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.
• Psalms 26:1Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered.
• Isaiah 16:5In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— one from the house of David— one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.

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

• Mercy
• Rulers
• Truth

In the dictionaries

• Advice
• Cease
• Counsel
• Naught
• Obscure
• Proclaim
• Pure
• Purpose
• Wait
• Proverb

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