The Pun
The Prayer
In 1707, Isaac Watts penned the words to the hymn "Alas and did my Savior Bleed":
Alas! and did my Savior bleed, and did my Sovereign die! Would he devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?
Originally, there were six verses. But no more than 40 years after Isaac Watt's passing, the second verse began to be dropped:
Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine— And bathed in its own blood— While all exposed to wrath divine The glorious Suff’rer stood.
After the beginning of the nineteenth century, the verse fell into almost complete disuse.
In the 1917 printing of the Methodist "Hymn and Tune Book", another change crept in. The phrase "such a worm as I" from the first verse was changed to "such a one as I". The next year, the phrase changed to "Sinners such as I" in the printing of "Concordia" by the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. All three forms have continued to be used since, but the original phrase "worm" is much rarer.
The bloody imagery of the forgotten second verse and the rejected deprecatory worm wordage of the first verse are difficult pills to swallow. Yet the graphic description of the crucifixion and the lowly language of the worm are scripturally accurate. In light of Watt's frequent use of the Psalms in his hymns and the crucifixion theme of the song, it is likely that he was referencing Psalm 22:6:
“But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.” (Psalms 22:6)
But there is another reference to our identity as a worm:
“Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 41:14)
In a sentence God insults and comforts His people! He can see the depths of our depravity and bluntly acknowledge it and then in the same breath utter words of great grace and calming peace. His knowledge of our nature does not dilute His love for us and His love for us does not negate the reality of who we are and our need for growth from His guidance. His harshest words are not without love and His most loving words are not spoken naively. And all these words would have been lost on us had the Word not become flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Here in the meeting of the blood bathed body and the writhing worm, God's grace and truth are disturbingly and wonderfully revealed to us.
Lord, forgive us for editing Your words: Censoring the truth of who we are, Unable to admit our deviance; Playing down Your love Unable to conceive that we are accepted. Teach us to trust the totality of Your word, Knowing Your grace is no excuse for licentiousness. Knowing Your discipline is no reason to despair. For in You, we are fully known and fully loved. Praise be to the God who is so good!