The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 20:28

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Mercy and truth preserve the king. (For "mercy and truth," see note on Proverbs 3:3.) The love and faithfulness which the king displays in dealing with his subjects elicits the like virtues in them, and these are the safeguard of his throne.

His throne is upholden by mercy; or, love. So the king is well called the father of his people, and in modern times the epithet "gracious" is applied to the sovereign as being the fountain of mercy and condescension.

Sallust, 'Jugurtha,' 10, "Non exercitus neque thesauri praesidia regni sunt, verum amici, quos neque armis cogere neque auro parare queas; officio et fide pariuntur." Septuagint, "Mercy ( ἐλεημοσύνη) and truth are a guard to a king, and will surround his throne with righteousness."

"The subject's love," says our English maxim, "is the king's lifeguard."

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