But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
8 “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”
In this day and age, where self-esteem is the god many pray to, these verses understandably upset people because it is misunderstood. Psalm 22 is the great prophecy of the crucifixion where David wrote in verse 16, “they have pierced my hands and feet”. The correct interpretation of the psalm wil help us know who we are in Christ. This is Jesus saying that he is a worm, hated, mistreated on the cross, mocked with the words, “Save yourself!” The gospel message says that we cannot save ourselves but need the Lion of Judah to become a spotless Lamb and a worm for us. We are not worthy, certainly not worthy of the Son of God dying for us. In that we are also like worms but when we are “in Christ”, we are seen as, not worms, but as adopted children of God.
That makes a difference in how we live our lives in this turbulent world. David knew he was chosen, despite his failings. We can know that we are chosen as his children despite our sins. Our self-esteem comes to us not because we are worthy but because Jesus Christ is worthy. We cling to the cross of Christ because to him we were worth getting his hands and feet pierced. To those who think they are not good enough for God to love them, the quick answer is, “Of course not! The wise man knows he cannot be trusted…
He trusts in the Lord.