Bridges on Proverbs 20:28
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 20:28
 
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28.  Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
 
Punishment is indeed a necessary security against the infringement of the law. (Verse 26.) Yet a wise King will follow the example of the Great Sovereign, and “make judgment his strange work,” and mercy his “delight.” And so long as truth inviolable is his guiding principle, the abuse of mercy need be little feared. Nay, mercy is the upholding pillar of his throne. (Isaiah 16:5.) But who does not know, that, while truth commands reverence, it is mercy that wins the heart? Solomon himself had a strong body-guard around him, for the safety of his person. (Song of Solomon 3:7.) Yet were the mercy and truth of his government not only the most splendid jewels of his crown, but ‘the best guard of his body, and supporters of his throne.’
How lovely is this combination in the administration of the Great King! “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne; mercy and truth shall go before thy face.” (Psalm 89:14.) Much more bright is the manifestation of these glorious perfections in that great work, by which he sacrificed even his Beloved Son, that man might be saved without the tarnish of one spot upon his infinitely adorable name. (Psalm 85:10.)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 20:26
26 ¶ A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
 
 
Footnote:
Compare Isaiah 28:21. Micah 7:18.
 

 
Isaiah 28:21
21 For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.
 
Micah 7:18
18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
 
 
Isaiah 16:5
5 And 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. {established: or, prepared}
 
 
Song of Solomon 3:7
7 ¶ Behold his bed, which is Solomon's; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.
 
 
Footnote:
Trapp in loco.
 
 
Psalm 89:14
14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. {habitation: or, establishment}
 
 
Psalm 85:10
10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.