7:19a–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

19a
He will again have compassion upon us ;

19b
He will vanquish our iniquities.

19c
You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

In these lines, Micah continues to talk about God’s love, which he shows by showing compassion and forgiving sin. The first line is a general statement. The second and third lines give more detail.

In Hebrew, the pronouns in these lines vary. Micah refers to God as “He” in 19a–b, and “You” in 19c. This variety of pronouns may be a characteristic of the poetry of this hymn. However, in some languages, it may be preferable to use a second-person pronoun to refer to God in all three lines, and a first-person pronoun to refer to the people in all three lines. For example:

You will again have compassion on us.

You will overcome our wrongdoing.

You will throw all our sins into the deep sea. (God’s Word)

7:19a

He will again have compassion on us: In this general statement Micah expresses his confidence that the LORD will again have compassion on the people of Israel.

again: In Hebrew, this word means “turn” or “return.” In this context it means to return to a previous condition, when he formerly showed compassion to Israel.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

once again (NET Bible)
-or-
Once more (Revised English Bible)

compassion: In Hebrew, this word means “have compassion,” “show mercy,” or “take pity.” The word is used to describe the love and care that a mother gives to her children.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

have mercy (NET Bible)
-or-
have pity (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
love (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

7:19b

He will vanquish our iniquities: This line is a metaphor that compares the LORD’s forgiveness of the people’s sin to a warrior who conquers an enemy.

Here are some ways to translate this metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

you will conquer our evil deeds (NET Bible)

• Translate with a simile. For example:

You will take away the guilt from our sins as if you were a warrior sending away a defeated foe.

• Translate the meaning directly. For example:

You will forgive our sins.

our iniquities: See the note on “pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression” under 7:18b–c.

7:19c

You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea: This line is a metaphor that compares the LORD’s forgiveness of the people’s sin to the total removal of something by throwing it into a deep part of the sea. It means that the LORD will forgive completely.

Here are some ways to translate this metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea (New International Version)

• Translate with a simile. For example:

You will remove our sins completely as if you threw them into the deepest ocean

• Translate the meaning directly. For example:

You will totally remove our sins from us

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