Psalm 22 6

Psalm 22:6 kjv

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

Psalm 22:6 nkjv

But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people.

Psalm 22:6 niv

But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.

Psalm 22:6 esv

But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.

Psalm 22:6 nlt

But I am a worm and not a man.
I am scorned and despised by all!

Psalm 22 verses

Psalm 22 6 Meaning

Psalm 22:6 profoundly expresses the speaker's extreme state of debasement, insignificance, and humiliation from a human perspective. The individual feels utterly worthless, not merely less than human but akin to a crawling insect, the lowest of creatures. This internal self-perception is mirrored by external reality, as they are subjected to intense contempt, ridicule, and rejection by society. It is a powerful declaration of one's complete lack of status, dignity, or value in the eyes of others.

Psalm 22 6 Context

Psalm 22 is a lament, opening with the famous cry "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (v. 1), which was later quoted by Jesus Christ on the cross. It progresses to vividly describe the speaker's extreme suffering, public humiliation, and sense of abandonment, often employing vivid animalistic imagery for tormentors ("strong bulls," "raging lions," "dogs"). This verse (v. 6) falls within the initial segment of intense personal anguish and isolation. The psalm is widely understood to be both a literal cry of King David in his suffering and, more significantly, a profoundly prophetic depiction of the Messiah's suffering, particularly during his crucifixion. Historically, public shame and being treated as utterly worthless were severe forms of punishment and social degradation in ancient Near Eastern societies, deeply affecting one's standing and identity. This verse starkly contrasts the speaker's perception of self (or others' perception of them) with God's ultimate valuation.

Psalm 22 6 Word analysis

• "But I": The Hebrew v’ānokhī (וַאֲנִי֙) contrasts the speaker's current state with the previous verses that recall ancestors trusting God and being delivered. This "but I" sets up a stark individual declaration of current wretchedness despite historical precedent or God's previous deliverances. It emphasizes the solitary, present reality of intense suffering.
• "am a worm": The Hebrew tola'at (תּוֹלַעַת) refers to a maggot, grub, or crawling invertebrate, indicating the lowest form of life. This image conveys absolute insignificance, fragility, and disgust in human perception. It signifies being trampled underfoot, easily crushed, and utterly contemptible. Beyond mere insignificance, tola'at is also the scarlet or crimson worm (Tola'at Shani), from which a valuable red dye was extracted (Exod 25:4). This potential secondary meaning, though not primarily the focus of "worm" here, subtly connects to concepts of blood, sacrifice, or even the crushed nature that brings forth value, hinting at the messianic fulfillment where suffering yields redemptive benefit. However, the immediate sense is one of utter lowliness.
• "and not a man": The Hebrew ve-lo ish (וְלֹא־אִֽישׁ) contrasts sharply with ish (אִישׁ), which implies a male human, often with connotations of strength, dignity, and standing. To be "not a man" means to be stripped of all human attributes that command respect, power, or even basic empathy. It means being dehumanized, rendered beneath contempt, lacking any perceived worth in the eyes of society.
• "scorned": The Hebrew ḥerpât (חֶרְפַּת), means reproach, shame, disgrace, or humiliation. This word suggests being a target of public contempt and ridicule, an object of derision. It's not just inner feeling but an external reality of mockery.
• "by mankind": The phrase specifies the source of scorn as general humanity, highlighting universal contempt rather than isolated individuals.
• "and despised": The Hebrew bâzûy (בָּזוּי) describes someone who is seen as worthless, contemptible, and held in utter disregard. It's a deep-seated rejection, not merely a fleeting dismissal.
• "by the people": This parallels "by mankind," confirming the widespread nature of the contempt, coming from the populace, from everyone. It emphasizes the complete isolation of the sufferer, with no support or affirmation from others.

Words-group analysis:

• "But I am a worm and not a man": This powerful pairing of images encapsulates the speaker's perceived lowest possible status. "Worm" (absolute physical lowliness) combined with "not a man" (absolute social and personal degradation) communicates a total absence of dignity, strength, or value in the eyes of observers. It depicts profound self-abasement and external judgment. This self-description of profound worthlessness becomes particularly significant in light of its prophetic fulfillment in Christ, who humbled himself to the point of being treated worse than a criminal.
• "scorned by mankind and despised by the people": These two phrases reinforce and amplify the outward rejection the speaker experiences. "Scorned" highlights public ridicule and open derision, while "despised" emphasizes a fundamental contempt and disregard. The parallel expressions "by mankind" and "by the people" underscore the pervasive and universal nature of this hostile attitude, leaving the sufferer without any allies or sympathetic voices. This foreshadows the treatment of Christ on the cross, where he was subjected to the scorn of passersby, religious leaders, and even common soldiers.

Psalm 22 6 Bonus section

• The stark contrast between "worm" and "man" (אִישׁ) might also subtly hint at God's perspective: while humans see a "worm," God sees His Suffering Servant. For instance, in Isa 41:14, God calls Israel "you worm Jacob," yet immediately promises to help them, showing His care for the despised. This theological tension elevates the meaning beyond mere lament.
• The profound humility described in this verse is a powerful counter-narrative to human pride and the world's valuation of strength, status, and self-assertion. It implies that true greatness, in God's kingdom, often involves radical self-emptying and endurance of scorn.
• The description here foreshadows not only Jesus's passion but also the experience of His followers who are called to take up their cross (Mk 8:34), endure persecution (2 Tim 3:12), and embrace being "despised" by the world for the sake of the Gospel (1 Cor 1:28).

Psalm 22 6 Commentary

Psalm 22:6 is a deeply poignant verse that vividly portrays the extreme abasement of the Suffering One. The declaration "I am a worm and not a man" is an unparalleled expression of perceived insignificance and dehumanization. The Hebrew word for "worm," tola'at, signifies not just lowliness but something abhorrent, easily trodden upon and utterly without worth or strength. The follow-up "not a man" strips away all semblance of human dignity, reducing the speaker to something less than human in the estimation of others.

This internal conviction of worthlessness is externalized by universal scorn and contempt: "scorned by mankind and despised by the people." This is not casual dismissal but intense public derision and complete rejection by society at large. The repeated emphasis on "mankind" and "the people" stresses the pervasive nature of this contempt, highlighting the speaker's utter isolation.

Prophetically, this verse finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. On the cross, He was indeed reduced to "a worm and not a man" in the eyes of His tormentors. He was publicly stripped, ridiculed, mocked, spat upon, and seen as utterly worthless by the very people He came to save. The physical torment of crucifixion was compounded by the psychological and spiritual agony of being publicly humiliated and reviled, fulfilling the exact imagery of this psalm. His identity as the Son of God was inverted by the crowd into a despicable figure. Yet, it was through this very "worm-like" abasement that Christ, by His redemptive suffering, ultimately triumphed over sin and death, revealing God's reversal of human values where the utterly despised becomes the gloriously exalted. This verse serves as a profound testimony to the depth of Christ's humiliation and His willingness to endure ultimate contempt for humanity's redemption.