But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. Psalms 22:6 (NIV)
Jesus' description of Himself, through David, is that He was a "worm" and not a man. In context, He is comparing Himself to the circle of evil-doers who have banded together against Him. He sees their strength and vigor to crucify Him and compares them to "bulls" (verse 12) "lions" (verse 13) and "dogs" (verse 16). By comparison to their strength, He was but a "worm" and not a man. In other words, they were going to trample all over Him and devour Him.
But here is one of the most fascinating things in all of Scripture, and should give us full confidence that each word of Scripture is perfect and was chosen purposefully (see Proverbs 30:5):
When Jesus, through David, calls Himself a "worm" He uses the Hebrew word "Tolah". This is the name of a worm found, even today, in Palestine. It is the coccus ilicis, which is harvested and crushed for its color to make crimson die used for the coloring of kings' robes. The "Tolah Worm" is also called a "crimson grub" because of its color. Let's look at Strong's definition of it:
Hebrew Word: תּוֹלָע
Transliteration: tôlā'
Root: from <H3216>
Cross Reference: TWOT - 2516b
Part of Speech: n m
Vine's Words: None
Usage Notes:
English Words used in KJV:
scarlet 34
worm 8
crimson 1
[Total Count: 43]
and (feminine) towle`ah, to-lay-aw'; or towla`ath, to-lah'-ath; or tola`ath, to-lah'-ath; from<H3216> (yala`); a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of <H8144> (shaniy)) the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cloths dyed therewith :- crimson, scarlet, worm.
-Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary
It really helps to do some digging and study regarding the Tolah worm. A simple look around the Internet has helped me to gain a better understanding of why Jesus would choose this specific word in regard to His suffering.
You see, there is a most interesting characteristic of this worm that absolutely amazed me when I read it. It reinforced my understanding that God has placed His gospel not only in Scripture but also in nature (such as the cold dead winters giving birth to new life in the spring, etc.). It seems that one of the characteristics of the female Tolah is that when she is pregnant and about to give birth, she instinctively climbs up into a particular kind of tree that has sharp limbs. Just at the moment when she is about to give birth to her young, she pierces her own heart through with one of the twigs of the tree, so that through her death her young receive not only life, but also the protective coating of her blood. [1]
It literally stunned me when I read that description of the Tolah, and soon there followed the eruption of praise to our God, Who so carefully recorded the gospel both in the pages of His Word, and in the fabric of nature itself.
The Tolah worm is called the "scarlet grub" because from birth it is covered in blood, and because in death it is used to dye clothing in red. How awesome it is that the Lord of the Universe, the Creator of all mankind, the King of Heaven, would humble Himself, becoming not only a man and a servant (Philippians 2:7-8), but also to describe Himself as a worm; indeed, a maggot. And all of this to save us from our sins, give us eternal life, and take us to live with Him in heaven.
Yes, the Tolah worm gives birth to its young through its own death. As its heart is pierced, its own blood provides a protective covering for its young. And Jesus says, through David, "I am a Tolah." How I do praise Him for suffering and dying in my place, for shedding His precious blood and giving up His life for me. The "scarlet grub" displays the gospel over and over, showing us the preciousness of Jesus' blood, and all that it accomplished.
"Sometimes when uncertain of a voice from its very loudness, we catch the missing syllable in the echo. In God and Nature we have Voice and Echo." Henry Drummond
Please consider what this sampling of Scripture has to say about the blood of Jesus Christ:
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.Acts 20:28 (NIV)
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 (NIV)
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, Hebrews 10:19-20 (NIV)
to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:24 (NIV)
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 (NIV)
and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, Revelation 1:5 (NIV)
Psalm 22 is a very detailed description of the cross. It shows "the sufferings of Christ" very clearly. Psalm 23 is the famous shepherd Psalm, and Psalm 24 is a Psalm of resurrection and ascension. Why not read through all three of these together sometime, and experience the joy of finding the treasure of the gospel one more time.