Short answer
– The most likely author is the prophet Micah (Hebrew: Mîkhāyāh / מִיכָיָהוּ, shortened Micah — “Who is like Yahweh?”), a rural prophet from Moresheth in the southern kingdom of Judah. Micah is traditionally regarded as the human author of the book that bears his name, and Micah 6:8 comes from his prophecy.

Who Micah was (evangelical perspective)
– Date and setting: Micah prophesied in the late 8th century BC (the period of the divided monarchy), during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah in Judah—so he was a contemporary of Isaiah, Hosea and Amos. His ministry addressed both Israel (the northern kingdom, Samaria) and Judah (Jerusalem).
– Background: He is described as “Micah of Moresheth” (a small town in Judah). Evangelicals typically picture him as a local, prophetic spokesman for God who confronted the national leaders, priests and wealthy for social injustice and covenant unfaithfulness.
– Themes in his book: judgment for idolatry and social sin, a call to repentance, the hope of restoration, and messianic promise (notably Micah 5:2 about Bethlehem). Micah’s message balances God’s holiness and wrath with his covenant mercy.

What Micah 6:8 means (evangelical emphasis)
– Text (ESV): “He has told you, O man, what is good, and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
– Key emphases:
– Divine requirement over ritual: God cares more for concrete obedience and right relationships than for empty sacrifices or religious show (this fits Micah’s repeated critique of ritualism divorced from righteousness).
– Justice (Heb. mishpat): active fair treatment of the weak and oppressed.
– Love kindness/steadfast love (Heb. hesed): loyal, covenantal love — mercy shown in committed relationship.
– Walk humbly with your God: a daily, humble relationship and dependence on God, acknowledging his lordship.
– Practical application for evangelicals: Micah 6:8 is often used to summarize biblical ethics — believers are called to faith expressed in moral justice, steadfast love, and humble devotion to God. Evangelicals tend to tie this to the gospel: Christ’s work enables and demands transformed, obedient lives (not legalism, but sanctified obedience born of grace).

Authorship and textual confidence
– Evangelicals affirm prophetic authorship and the inspiration and authority of Scripture. While critical scholarship sometimes posits later editorial layers, the traditional evangelical position treats Micah himself as the primary author and regards Micah 6:8 as an authentic and authoritative part of God’s revelation.

If you’d like, I can:
– Summarize Micah’s life and ministry in more detail,
– Show how New Testament writers and Jesus reflect Micah’s teaching,
– Provide sermon-style applications of Micah 6:8 for individuals, churches or public life.