Proverbs 20:28

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.

American Standard Version (1901)

Kindness and truth preserve the king; And his throne is upholden by kindness.

Bible in Basic English

Mercy and good faith keep the king safe, and the seat of his power is based on upright acts.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.

Free Bible Version

Trustworthy love and faithfulness keep a king safe; trustworthy love supports his rule.

Geneva Bible 1599

Mercie and trueth preserue the King: for his throne shall be established with mercie.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

One Unity Resource Bible

Cheshed ·Loving-kindness· and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by cheshed ·loving-kindness·.

Translation for Translators

Kings will continue to rule as long as they faithfully love their people and are loyal to them and as long as they rule righteously/fairly.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness preserve the king; his throne is made secure by love.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.

Young's Literal Translation

Kindness and truth keep a king, And he hath supported by kindness his throne.

Context

Wine Is a Mocker

²⁷The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being. ²⁸Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.

Summary

This verse highlights the importance of justice and fairness in leadership. It emphasizes that a king who sits on the throne of judgment sifts out all evil with his eyes, indicating the responsibility of rulers to discern right from wrong and administer justice. The imagery of sifting implies a thorough examination and separation of what is corrupt or unjust. Ultimately, the verse underscores the significance of wise and righteous leadership in upholding justice and order in society.

Commentary

Keil-Delitzsch
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Matthew Henry
Tyndale

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

28 Love and truth guard the king; And he supports his throne by love. We have not in the German [nor in the Eng.] language a couple of words that completely cover חסד ואמת; when they are used of God, we translate them by grace and truth [Gnade u. Wahrheit], Psa 40:12 (יצּרוּני); when of men, by love and truth [Liebe u. Treue], Pro 16:6; and when of the two-sided divine forces, by kindness and truth, Pro 3:3. Love and truth are the two good spirits that guard the king. If it is elsewhere said that the king's throne is supported "with judgment and with justice," Isa 9:6 [7]; here, on the other side, we see that the exercise of government must have love as its centre; he has not only to act on the line of right, שׁוּרת הדּין; but, as the later proverb says, in such a way, that within this circle his conduct is determined by the central motive of love. In this sense we give the king not only the title of Grossmchtigster [most high and mighty], but also that of "Allergndigster" most gracious, for the king can and ought to exercise grace before other men; the virtue of condescension establishes his throne more than the might of greatness.

Proverbs 20:28

Wine Is a Mocker

²⁷The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being. ²⁸Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.