7:7a

But as for me: In this part of the lament the tone/mood changes from negative to positive. This phrase introduces a strong contrast between the unfaithful people and Micah’s own hope in the LORD.

Here are some ways to translate this clause:

• Translate the strong contrast. For example:

But as for me (English Standard Version)
-or-
But I (Good News Translation)

• Leave the contrast implied. This option is only recommended when the implied contrast will be clearly understood. For example:

…I (God’s Word)

I will look to the LORD: In this clause part, Micah indicated that he expected the LORD to fulfill his promises to the people of Israel and had faith that he would do so.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:

I will look to the Lord for help (New Century Version)
-or-
I will watch for the Lord (Good News Translation)
-or-
I will keep watching for the Lord (NET Bible)

7:7b

I will wait for the God of my salvation: In this clause part, Micah indicated that he had confidence that God would save him. In Hebrew, the word wait has a form that means “to be committed/resolved to wait.”

The phrase God of my salvation is a title that describes God as the savior/deliverer. In some languages it may be more natural to translate the title in a different way. For example:

I will wait for God to save me (New Century Version)
-or-
I will put my trust in God my savior (New American Bible)

God: In this title, the Hebrew word for God is a form of elohim and not Yahweh. Some versions translate as God instead of “LORD.” Use your general term for God here.

7:7c

My God will hear me: In this clause part, Micah indicated his certainty that God would hear his prayer. The phrase My God indicates a close relationship with God. Again, the Hebrew word for God is a form of elohim here.

Here are some ways to translate this clause part:

• Translate more literally. For example:

my God will hear me (English Standard Version)

• Make explicit some implicit aspects of meaning. For example:

and I will wait for him to answer my prayer (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
My God will hear my lament. (NET Bible)
-or-
and my God will certainly hear me (New Living Translation (2004))

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