These are amazing words from the lips of the blessed, holy Son of God. The worm is the very picture of the lowest humiliation. Every sinner of the race of Adam might rightly speak of himself as this, for sin has taken away the proper dignity of manhood, and we deserve to be humbled to the dust. But in these words we hear that One speaking who is the absolutely unique and sinless Son of God.

This psalm speaks of Him as being the great sin offering—in voluntary grace giving Himself as sacrifice to bear the judgment due to the awful scourge of sin, standing in the place of the guilty, and bearing that dreadful burden alone. It has been observed that the word worm in this particular verse applies to the coccus from which, by its death, the scarlet dye of the tabernacle was obtained. This is indeed a fitting application to the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. None has ever taken such a lowly place of humiliation as He—the very One who is worthy of the highest place in the universe.

To think of the wonder of that voluntary sacrifice should fill the hearts of all men everywhere with the deepest respect and admiration. Yet at the very time when He was giving Himself for mankind, He was reproached unmercifully and greatly despised. What shameful abuse they heaped upon this lowly, gracious One, who silently bore violence, spitting, and insulting words as a lamb quiet before the shearers.

Men treated the Savior in such a shameful way, but this should surely speak to His redeemed people. May it stir our hearts to make up for this sad dishonor by giving to Him now the most profound worship, and awakening now the song of exulting adoration with which eternity will unceasingly resound: “Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!” (Ps. 113:2).