Micah 7:1-7

The Prophet Acknowledges

1 Woe is me! For I am Like the fruit pickers, like the ¹grape gatherers. There is not a cluster of grapes to eat, Or a ²first-ripe fig which I crave.

2 The godly person has ³perished from the land, And there is no upright person among men. All of them lie in wait for ⁴bloodshed; Each of them hunts the other with a ⁵net.

3 Concerning evil, both hands do it ⁶well. The prince asks, also the judge, for a ⁷bribe, And a great man speaks the desire of his soul; So they weave it together.

4 The best of them is like a ⁸briar, The most upright like a ⁹thorn hedge. The day when you post your watchmen, Your ¹⁰punishment will come. Then their ¹¹confusion will occur.

5 Do not ¹²trust in a neighbor; Do not have confidence in a friend. From her who lies in your bosom Guard your lips.

6 For ¹³son treats father contemptuously, Daughter rises up against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; ¹⁴A man's enemies are the men of his own household.

God Is the Source of Salvation and Light

7 But as for me, I will ¹⁵watch expectantly for the LORD; I will ¹⁶wait for the God of my salvation. My ¹⁷God will hear me.

Micah 7:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO MICAH 7

This chapter begins with a lamentation of the prophet, in the name of the church and people of God, concerning the general depravity and corruption of the times in which he lived, Mic 7:1-6; then declares what he was determined to do for his relief in such circumstances, Mic 7:7; comforts himself and the church with a good hope and firm belief of its being otherwise and better with them, to the shame and confusion of their enemies that now rejoiced, though without just reason for it, Mic 7:8-10; with promises of deliverance, after a desolation of the land for some time, Mic 7:11-13; and with the answer returned to the prayers of the prophet, Mic 7:14,15; which would issue in the astonishment of the world, and their subjection to the church of God, Mic 7:16,17; and the chapter is concluded with admiration at the pardoning grace and mercy of God, and his faithfulness to his promises, Mic 7:18-20.

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 24:13
• 2. Isaiah 28:4; Hosea 9:10
• 3. Isaiah 57:1
• 4. Isaiah 59:7; Micah 3:10
• 5. Jeremiah 5:26; Hosea 5:1
• 6. Proverbs 4:16, 17
• 7. Amos 5:12; Micah 3:11
• 8. Ezekiel 2:6; Ezekiel 28:24
• 9. Nahum 1:10
• 10. Isaiah 10:3; Hosea 9:7
• 11. Isaiah 22:5
• 12. Jeremiah 9:4
• 13. Matthew 10:21, 35; Luke 12:53
• 14. Matthew 10:36
• 15. Habakkuk 2:1
• 16. Psalms 130:5; Isaiah 25:9
• 17. Psalms 4:3

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "my soul"
• [b]. Or "loyal"
• [c]. Lit "openings of your mouth"