Albert Barnes Commentary Micah 7:13

"Yet shall the land be desolate because of them that dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings." — Micah 7:13 (ASV)

Notwithstanding - (And) the land (that is, the land of Judah referred to) will be desolate not through any arbitrary law or the might of her enemies, but through the sins of the people, because of those who dwell in it, for the fruit of their actions; truly, “the fruit of their doings” was what they did to please themselves, following their own thoughts in opposition to God. As they sow, so will they reap.

This sounds almost like a riddle and contradiction beforehand: “the walls built up,” “the people gathered in,” and “the land desolate.” Yet it was all fulfilled in letter as well as in spirit. Jerusalem was restored; the people were gathered, first from the captivity, then to Christ. And yet, the land was again desolate through the fruit of the actions of those who rejected Christ, and is so to this day.

The prophet now closes with one earnest prayer (Micah 7:14); to which he receives a brief answer, that God would show His power anew, as when He first made them His people (Micah 7:15). On this, he vividly describes the awed submission of the world to their God (Micah 7:16–17), and closes with a thanksgiving of marveling amazement at the greatness and completeness of the forgiving mercy of God (Micah 7:18–19), ascribing all to His free goodness (Micah 7:5, 20).