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Proverbs 20:28

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 20:28 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Kindness and truth preserve the king; And his throne is upholden by kindness.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Kindness and truth preserve the king; And his throne is upholden by kindness.
Proverbs 20:28 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25It is a snare to a man rashly to say, [It is] holy, And after vows to make inquiry.
26A wise king winnoweth the wicked, And bringeth the [threshing] -wheel over them.
27The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, Searching all his innermost parts.
28Kindness and truth preserve the king; And his throne is upholden by kindness.
29The glory of young men is their strength; And the beauty of old men is the hoary head.
30Stripes that wound cleanse away evil; And strokes [reach] the innermost parts.
← Proverbs 20:27Proverbs 20:29 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Compare Pro 3:3; Pro 16:6, Pro 16:12).”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“20:28 God’s unfailing love and faithfulness are closely connected to his covenant with his people (see Exod 34:5-7; Deut 7:7-9). The king represents God on earth, so God will protect him (see 2 Sam 7).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Psa 61:7, Psa 101:1 Mercy: Pro 16:6 his: Pro 16:12, Pro 29:14; Psa 21:7, Psa 26:1; Isa 16:5 Proverbs 20:29”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical 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…”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 20 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification