Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
Parallel translations
- WEB Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
- BSB Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
- NKJV Mercy and truth preserve the king, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.
- NASB Loyalty and truth watch over the king, And he upholds his throne by loyalty.
- NLT Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king and uphold his throne. It matters because just, loving rule is the true foundation of lasting authority.
Overview
A throne endures not by force but by covenant love and faithfulness — qualities reflecting God's own character (Psalm 89:14). The verse ties the security of rule to moral integrity. It points to the eternal throne of Christ, established forever in righteousness and steadfast love (Isaiah 16:5; Luke 1:32-33).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Prov 16:12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
- Ps 26:1Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
- Ps 101:1I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
- Prov 29:14The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
- Ps 21:7For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.
- Isa 16:5And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
- Ps 61:7He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
- Prov 16:6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 20:28 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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