Have you known something and then realized you know nothing all at the same time? That is how I felt today when I read Psalm 22. I have studied this Psalm numerous times. However, I was struck anew by one verse, wondering about the purpose of its use of the word “worm”.
Psalm 22:6
But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
This verse is in the midst one of the most detailed Messianic passages in the Old Testament. David, who wrote this song, graphically depicts the crucifixion of Jesus almost a thousand years before His death.
Psalm 22:14-16
Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.
These painful words are fulfilled at the crucifixion of Jesus as described in the gospels.
Luke 23:32-35
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
In the midst of the crucifixion description in Psalm 22, David described the feeling of the Messiah as being like a worm and not like a man. In general, the word picture would describe feeling insignificant or worthless. However, the Hebrew adds another layer to the description. The word that is used here depicts a specific type of worm. This worm was crushed in ancient times to produce a dye for thread and fabric. The color the crushed worm produced was crimson.
The word for “worm” as translated in Psalm 22:6 is transliterated as the Hebrew word “tola”. The word “tola” was used multiple times in the book of Exodus to describe the color “crimson”. This color of thread was used in forming pieces of the Tabernacle, which was the precursor to the temple that was built in Jerusalem. Crimson threads were woven into the tabernacle curtains. The High Priest himself wore a design interlaced with crimson on his outer garment. Crimson was also a part of the veil which separated the Most Holy Place, or the Holy of Holies, from the rest of the Tabernacle. It was here that the ark of the covenant was set. The High Priest was allowed to enter this space only one day a year. Worms had to be crushed to create the dye that would be woven into the holy tabernacle of God, the holy clothing of the High Priest, as well as the curtain of the Holy of Holies.
In the Old Testament, we also find that the color of crimson is used as a word picture to describe the sins of people.
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as CRIMSON, they shall be like wool.” (emphasis mine)
On the cross, Jesus became the crushed worm. His crimson blood spilt out. This blood became the covering for our sin. The tabernacle, as constructed by Moses, was covered by curtains that had scarlet thread, which would be a picture of the blood of Jesus. His blood is our covering. We are made clean because He was crushed.
Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
The crushing of the worm led to beauty as a master craftsman made a crimson dye. The crushing of Jesus led to beauty as God crafted a way for us to be in relationship with Him through the blood of Jesus.
Colossians 1:21-22
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
Not only is Jesus our Savior, He also became our High Priest. Remember the crimson dye was also on the High Priest’s garments. This color on the holy clothing foreshadowed our ultimate High Priest being Jesus Himself.
Hebrews 4:14
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
The High Priest would access the Most Holy Place by entering through the veil to access the ark, which was the mercy seat of God.
Exodus 26:33
Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
This veil was hung in the temple in Jerusalem. The fabric’s measurements were sixty feet high, thirty feet wide, and four inches thick. This curtain is mentioned at the death of Jesus.
Matthew 27:50-51a
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
The curtain was torn! We are no longer separated from God; we now have access to the Most Holy Place. We can be in relationship with the Lord, because Jesus died on our behalf. He became low so that we may be lifted up.
Psalm 22:6a
But I am a worm and not a man…
What seemed an insignificant, shameful time became the defining moment of all of history. The crucifixion of Jesus paved the way for people to obtain salvation from sins, relationship with God, and even experience eternal life as David proclaims in this psalm.
Psalm 22:26b
…those who seek the Lord will praise him— may your hearts live forever!
David ends his psalm celebrating the victory the “crushed worm” achieved for the generations.
Psalm 22:30-31
Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!
Jesus, the crimson worm, became the Savior of the world! We proclaim what He has done today and His salvation message will be told forever. What the Old Testament foreshadowed; He fulfilled. Jesus was crushed so that we may be saved! He has done it! Halleluiah!