Fear not, you worm Jacob, and you men of Israel; I will help you,
says the LORD, and your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Read Chapter 41
Ephrem The Syrian
AD 373
Therefore, you will subdue kings and kingdoms with your frailty and will overturn their schemes and proud designs. So [Isaiah] calls the Jews, about whom he is speaking here, “worm,” in order that they may understand that they cannot rely on their strength; nonetheless, their weakness will not hinder them, since worms are able to consume hard wood, so that, in the future, they will destroy the pride and power of very strong kingdoms. - "Commentary on Isaiah 41.14"
The Spirit described his generation as a worm that was without meaning. The type that the Holy Spirit shaped attains its meaning. - "Hymns on the Nativity 1.10"
Dead. Though you were in the grave, I could protect you. Captivity is often represented under this idea. (Calmet)
You who are despised, fear not, since Christ will protect and reward you. (Worthington)
“I have placed you like a new threshing wagon [sledge] with jagged wheels.” … We can also say that the person of the church is in a new wagon with the jagged wheels of the preaching of the gospel, which cannot be worked at all in the old way of the letter but in the new way of the Spirit, and which wears away the hardest hearts of unbelievers, separating the wheat from the chaff. - "Commentary on Isaiah 12.4"
