Help Me God, for I Am Holy

(Psalm 86:2)

Mike Johnson

Psalm 86 is a prayer of David, written during a time when he was facing troubling times.  We learn from verses 14 and 17 that his enemies are trying to kill him.  In verses 1-7, he makes several requests asking God to save him, and then cites reasons why God should answer these pleas.  In verse 1, he asks God to hear him because he is poor and needy.  Then, verse 2 says, “Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You!”

David is desperate at this point in his life and makes this second request, asking God for help and protection from his enemies.  He cites three reasons for God to grant the request to save his life.  The reasons are: (1) I am holy; (2) You are my God;  (3) as your servant, I trust You.  The basis stated for God answering him pertains to his relationship with God.  He says, “Since I am a devoted follower of Yours, please help me.”

Similarly, the Bible often states the qualifications of the petitioners as a factor in God hearing and answering their prayers.

Consider some Old Testament passages.

• “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear” (Ps. 66:18)
• “He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them” (Ps. 145:19).
• “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14).

Likewise, consider some New Testament passages.

• “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him” (Jn. 9:31).
• “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Pet.   3:12).
• “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”  (James 5:16)
• “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 Jn. 3:22)

Some question David referring to himself as “holy” because of the sins we read of him committing in the Scriptures.  Yet, they do not seem to have a problem with the Psalmist saying that God was his God and he was His servant.  David knew that he was a sinner and was susceptible to doing wrong.  He even asked for God’s mercy in verses 3 and 16 but still referred to himself as holy — a “servant” of God whom he trusted.  The Hebrew word, rendered as “holy” or “saint,” is often found in the Old Testament and refers to those who are God’s people.

God was there for David, and the Scriptures teach that He is always with His servants today.  As in the Old Testament, however, God answering prayers is conditional.  Note Psalm 97:10, which says, “You who love the Lord, hate evil!  He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.”