7:9
In this verse, the speaker is the personification of Jerusalem, as in 7:8. The speaker first describes the consequences of his sin. He then expresses faith that the LORD will justly punish Jerusalem’s enemies for their wrongs, and restore the (people of the) city to a right relationship with him.
7:9a
Because I have sinned against Him, I must endure the rage of the LORD: The speaker (personified Jerusalem) accepts that its people have sinned and therefore deserve the anger of the LORD.
In Hebrew, the first clause part gives the result, and the second clause part gives the reason. In some languages it may be more natural to reverse the order of these clause parts, as in the Berean Standard Bible. Here is another example:
We have sinned against the Lord, so now we must endure his anger for a while (Good News Translation)
Because: This word introduces the reason why Jerusalem must bear the indignation of the LORD. The reason is because the people have sinned against him.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
Since (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
for (NET Bible)
sinned against Him: This phrase makes explicit that the sins of the people were directed against the LORD. The people failed to respect him.
I must endure: Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
be patient (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
tolerate
-or-
accept
rage: In Hebrew, the word rage means “anger” or “wrath.” In this context, the word refers both to wrath and to punishment, which is the result of his wrath.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
wrath (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
fury (God’s Word)
-or-
anger (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
punishes (New Living Translation (2004))
7:9b
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
until He argues my case
and executes judgment for me
These lines indicate how long Jerusalem must bear the indignation of the LORD. It would be until the time when he defends them.
until: This time word indicates the end of the time of wrath and introduces the next event that is described in these lines.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
But after that, he will take up my case (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
But in the end he will defend us (Good News Translation)
-or-
But then he will defend my cause (NET Bible)
He argues my case…executes justice for me: These lines are more literally “he will conduct my case and he will do my justice.” In Hebrew, the first line has the same word for case as in Micah 6:1–2. See the notes there for more details.
These lines mean that the LORD would defend Jerusalem as if in a legal case or lawsuit. He would defend the rights of the people of Jerusalem while judging their enemy.
Here are some other ways to translate these lines:
He pleads my case and executes justice for me (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
he will defend us and right the wrongs that have been done to us (Good News Translation)
-or-
he will defend my cause and accomplish justice on my behalf (NET Bible)
7:9d–e
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
9d
He will bring me into the light;
9e
I shall see His righteousness.
These lines are two ways to say that the LORD would save them.
7:9d
He will bring me into the light: This line repeats the word light from 7:8c. It probably refers back to the same situation. The LORD would bring Jerusalem out of darkness into his light. As in 8c, this line is a metaphor that compares deliverance/salvation by the LORD to his bringing the people into the light. See the translation options under 7:8c for ideas of how to translate this line.
7:9e
I will see His righteousness: In Hebrew, the word see means “see,” “view,” “realize,” or “know.” Here it may mean that the speaker will see the LORD’s vindication figuratively, through eyes of faith, and/or literally through firsthand experience.
In Hebrew, the word righteousness has two aspects of meaning. It refers to the LORD’s “attribute of righteousness/justness.” It also refers to the action of saving his people, which shows his righteousness/justness.
Here are some ways to translate this line:
• Translate His righteousness as the LORD’s attribute of justness. For example:
I will see His righteousness (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
I will see his justice (New American Bible)
• Translate His righteousness as the LORD’s action that vindicates the speaker. For example:
I will experience firsthand his deliverance (NET Bible)
-or-
I will enjoy vindication by Him (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
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