Matthew Poole and continuators on 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 .

Some observe that El here used signifyeth the Mighty God, and so render it thus, the French le Dieu fo[illegible: 1 letter]t, none but the Sovereign Mighty God can, or doth forgive iniquity, it is a Flower of the Crown of Heaven, Exod. 34.6, 7. and Numb. 14.18. and Mark 2.7. This Interrogatory and admiration is a strong Negation.

Taketh away the guilt, and punishment too by his pardon.

A form of speech used amongst us when we promise not to pursue an offence, or not to exact the punishment of it, or as if we either saw it not, or voluntarily winked at it, being resolv[illegible: 2 letters] that we would not make it a cause of quarrel or breach.

It will not suit our brevity to enquire the difference between iniquity and transgression, or whether they are here Synonymous, and explicatory of each other, God passeth by the forfeits we make and strips us not of our mercies.

Though in his just displeasure God did send them into Captivity, yet because he doth not retain his anger for ever, their Captivity shall not be for ever, he will chastise his remnant but not consume them, Zech. 1.3.

All from the exceeding riches of his mercy, it is his delight to shew mercy, and we need enquire no farther, our God is so wonderfully merciful that 'tis his pleasure to shewmercy, and if a man sometime may give this as a reason why he doth a thing, surely our God may well expect that we should acquiesce in this account of his doing so. He delighteth to do it, Psal. 103.8, 9. Isa. 43.25. and 57.16. Ier. 3.5, 12. Rev. 4.11.

Lest what hath been spoken of this wonderful change in the affairs of the Jews, should on one hand be thought to be made for the Righteousness or worthiness of this people. Or else on the other hand should seem too great to be done for a sinful people, and so any should doubt whether it should be done at all, the Prophet in this and the two following verses proposeth the ground of all this laid on the unparallel'd grace of God toward his people, who pardoneth their unrighteousness, and then of free Mercy delivers them from their afflictions, and distresses, changing their darkness into light.

Marginal references: This intimateth the reason why God doth, as well as the persons to whom he doth, pardon sin; That Grace which made them his heritage and reserved them to himself in the common destruction, the same grace doth as freely pardon and pass by, that it may do them good. No worthyness in them to whom 'tis done, and yet greatest certainty it shall be done, as Rom. 4.16.