Psalms 22:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But I am a worm {H8438}, and no man {H376}; a reproach {H2781} of men {H120}, and despised {H959} of the people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 22:6 is a profoundly poignant declaration from one experiencing extreme humiliation and dehumanization. The speaker, feeling utterly stripped of dignity and reduced to something utterly insignificant and vile, describes being publicly scorned and despised by society. This verse captures a deep sense of abandonment and abasement, serving as a powerful expression of suffering that finds its ultimate prophetic fulfillment in the passion of Jesus Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 22:6 is situated within the "lament" section of Psalm 22, specifically following the opening cry of abandonment in [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?"). The psalm begins with intense anguish and a feeling of being forsaken by God and man, then transitions to a vivid description of the speaker's physical and emotional torment, including a detailed account of his physical deterioration and the relentless mockery he endures (e.g., [Psalm 22:14-17](/psalms/22-14-17 "Psalm 22:14-17 - Physical and Emotional Torment")). This verse, "But I am a worm, and no man," serves as a stark articulation of the speaker's perceived lowliness and the profound contempt he faces, setting the stage for the public mockery and physical abuse detailed in subsequent verses before the psalm shifts dramatically to a tone of praise and confidence in God's deliverance, culminating in a declaration of God's universal reign (e.g., [Psalm 22:22-31](/psalms/22-22-31 "Psalm 22:22-31 - From Lament to Praise and Universal Praise")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While traditionally attributed to King David, reflecting his periods of intense persecution and feeling like an outcast, Psalm 22 transcends a purely autobiographical account, pointing to a suffering beyond any single individual. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, public shame and dishonor were devastating, often considered worse than physical pain or even death. To be a "reproach of men" and "despised of the people" meant a complete loss of social standing, personal dignity, and communal belonging. The imagery of a "worm" (Hebrew, _tôwlâʻ_) would have evoked something utterly insignificant, vulnerable, easily crushed, and considered vile and contemptible. This cultural understanding amplifies the depth of the speaker's degradation, highlighting a state far below human dignity and emphasizing the severity of the social ostracism and contempt endured by the one who utters these words.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalm 22 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully articulates the theme of **Profound Suffering and Lament**, capturing the depths of human anguish and despair when one feels utterly worthless and abandoned by both God and humanity. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Dehumanization and Public Scorn**, as the speaker is not merely suffering internally but is actively mocked, rejected, and stripped of his very identity as a human being by society. This public shaming and alienation is central to the experience described in the psalm. Thirdly, and most significantly for Christian theology, it is a crucial element of the psalm's **Messianic Prophecy**. The intense, unmerited suffering and public humiliation described here foreshadow the passion of Jesus Christ, who truly became "a reproach of men, and despised of the people" during His crucifixion, as seen in the Gospel accounts of His mockery and rejection (e.g., [Matthew 27:39-44](/matthew/27-39-44 "Matthew 27:39-44 - Mockery at the Cross") and [Mark 15:29-32](/mark/15-29-32 "Mark 15:29-32 - Jesus Mocked by Passersby")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Worm (Hebrew, תּוֹלָע, _tôwlâʻ_):** This term refers to a maggot or grub, specifically the crimson-grub (_Coccus ilicis_), from which a vibrant scarlet dye was extracted. The Strong's data indicates it signifies something "voracious" but also, by extension, the "crimson" color derived from it. In this context, _tôwlâʻ_ primarily conveys utter insignificance, vulnerability, and lowliness—something easily trodden upon, despised, and utterly devoid of strength or dignity. It signifies a state of complete abasement, far below human dignity, emphasizing the speaker's feeling of being utterly worthless and easily discarded.
* **Man (Hebrew, אִישׁ, _ʼîysh_):** The word _ʼîysh_ denotes a male human being, often implying strength, dignity, and status, as well as an individual person. By declaring "no man," the speaker emphasizes a complete loss of human identity, worth, and standing. It's a statement of profound dehumanization, where the speaker feels reduced to something less than human, devoid of the respect and recognition typically afforded to a person, indicating a state of being utterly disregarded and without value in the eyes of others.
* **Reproach (Hebrew, חֶרְפָּה, _cherpâh_):** This word signifies contumely, disgrace, shame, or ignominy. It implies public humiliation and being an object of contempt and derision. The Strong's definition includes "rebuke" and "reproach(-fully)." The speaker is not just feeling low internally but is actively subjected to public mockery, verbal abuse, and scorn, highlighting the external, social dimension of his suffering and his status as an object of public disgrace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I am a worm":** This clause expresses the speaker's deep self-perception of utter insignificance, vulnerability, and abasement. He feels reduced to the lowest form of existence, something easily crushed and despised, a metaphor for extreme degradation and worthlessness in the eyes of others.
* **"and no man":** This phrase intensifies the preceding declaration, emphasizing a complete loss of human dignity and identity. The speaker feels stripped of all that makes one human, suggesting a state of profound dehumanization where he is not even recognized as a person worthy of respect or consideration.
* **"a reproach of men":** This clause shifts from internal feeling to external reality, indicating that the speaker is an object of public scorn and disgrace. He is not merely feeling despised but is actively subjected to verbal abuse, mockery, and contempt from others, becoming a symbol of shame in their eyes.
* **"and despised of the people":** This final clause reinforces the widespread nature of the rejection. The speaker is not just scorned by a few individuals but is universally looked down upon and held in contempt by the general populace, highlighting the profound isolation and public alienation he experiences.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 22:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the speaker's profound suffering. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically in the declaration "I am a worm," which directly compares the speaker to an insignificant, vulnerable creature, effectively communicating a sense of utter degradation and worthlessness. This is complemented by **Hyperbole**, as the statement "and no man" is an exaggeration designed to emphasize the complete loss of human dignity and identity, pushing beyond mere lowliness to a state of complete dehumanization. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, particularly synonymous parallelism, in the phrases "a reproach of men" and "despised of the people." These two clauses convey essentially the same idea of public scorn and contempt, reinforcing the widespread nature of the speaker's rejection and the universality of his ostracism. Finally, there is a strong **Contrast** between the speaker's self-identification as a "worm" and "no man" and the inherent dignity typically associated with humanity, highlighting the immense fall in status and the depth of the humiliation endured.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, with its raw depiction of dehumanization and public scorn, connects deeply to the biblical theme of righteous suffering and the redemptive power found within it. It foreshadows the ultimate suffering of the innocent for the guilty, a concept central to the Suffering Servant passages in Isaiah. The speaker's experience of being reduced to "a worm, and no man" resonates with the profound self-abasement and humiliation that God's chosen servants, and ultimately Christ Himself, would endure for the sake of humanity. It highlights that true dignity is not found in human approval or status, but in one's relationship with God, even when despised by the world. The willingness to embrace such a low state, as seen in this verse, becomes a powerful testament to divine love and sacrifice, demonstrating that God often works through the despised and rejected to accomplish His greatest purposes.

* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected by Men")
* [Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7-8 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Obedience unto Death")
* [Job 25:6](/job/25-6 "Job 25:6 - Man as a Maggot and Worm")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 22:6 offers a profound lens through which to view human suffering, particularly the pain of rejection, humiliation, and feeling utterly worthless. In a world that often values status, appearance, and achievement, this verse reminds us that true dignity is not external but intrinsic, granted by God, and cannot be stripped away by human scorn. It calls us to cultivate profound empathy for those who feel marginalized, despised, or "less than" in society, whether due to poverty, illness, social ostracism, or personal struggles. For believers, it deepens our appreciation for Christ's willingness to identify with humanity at its absolute lowest point, enduring the ultimate scorn so that we might be elevated and given true worth. When we feel like "a worm, and no man," this psalm reminds us that our worth is not determined by human opinion but by the God who hears even the cries of the most abased and ultimately delivers. It encourages us to find our identity and hope in Him, even when the world casts us aside, knowing that our ultimate value is found in being created in His image and redeemed by His love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge your understanding of human dignity, especially in the face of suffering or rejection?**
* **In what ways might you, or someone you know, feel "a worm, and no man" today, and how can the truth of Christ's identification with this pain bring comfort and hope?**
* **How does the public nature of the suffering described here inform our response to those who are publicly shamed or marginalized in our communities, calling us to compassion and advocacy?**

### FAQ
**Is the "worm" in Psalm 22:6 a specific type of worm, and does it have symbolic meaning beyond mere insignificance?**

Answer: Yes, the Hebrew word used, _tôwlâʻ_ (תּוֹלָע), commonly refers to the crimson worm (_Coccus ilicis_). This specific worm was significant because when the female worm was crushed to extract its vibrant scarlet dye, it would adhere to the wood, die, and leave behind a permanent red stain, often with its body resembling a tiny, crushed crimson spot. While the primary meaning in Psalms 22:6 emphasizes utter insignificance, vulnerability, and lowliness, akin to something easily trodden upon, some theological interpretations draw a connection to the shedding of Christ's blood and His sacrificial death. The imagery of the worm being crushed to produce a beautiful, lasting color can be seen as a poignant foreshadowing of Christ's suffering and the redemptive blood He shed, which provides a permanent covering for sin. However, within the immediate context of the psalm, the emphasis is on the speaker's profound sense of degradation and worthlessness, highlighting the depth of his abasement.

**How can a psalm of lament, expressing such despair, be considered a Messianic prophecy?**

Answer: Psalm 22 is considered a Messianic prophecy through a concept known as typological fulfillment. While it undoubtedly reflects the personal experiences of King David, many of its details go far beyond what David himself endured and find precise, literal fulfillment in the life, passion, and death of Jesus Christ. For example, the opening cry, "[My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?"), was quoted by Jesus on the cross ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). Other details, such as the piercing of hands and feet ([Psalm 22:16](/psalms/22-16 "Psalm 22:16 - Pierced Hands and Feet")) and the dividing of garments and casting lots for clothing ([Psalm 22:18](/psalms/22-18 "Psalm 22:18 - Dividing Garments")), were literally fulfilled during the crucifixion, as recorded in the Gospels ([John 19:23-24](/john/19-23-24 "John 19:23-24 - Soldiers Divide Jesus' Garments")). Thus, David's lament serves as a divinely inspired blueprint, a type, for the ultimate suffering of the Messiah, making it a powerful prophetic text that points directly to the person and work of Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 22:6 finds its most profound and complete fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. On the cross, Jesus truly became "a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people." He, who was God incarnate, willingly emptied Himself of divine prerogatives, taking "the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:7](/phil/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Self-Emptying")). His humiliation culminated in the crucifixion, where He was publicly mocked, scorned, and treated as less than human by soldiers, religious leaders, and passersby ([Matthew 27:39-44](/matthew/27-39-44 "Matthew 27:39-44 - Mockery at the Cross")). He was indeed "despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")). By identifying with humanity at its absolute lowest, enduring the ultimate shame and degradation, Christ bore the full weight of sin and its consequences, becoming sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). His willingness to be treated as "a worm" enables Him to lift humanity from the dust, offering dignity, redemption, and reconciliation with God. Through His abasement, we are exalted, finding our true worth and identity not in human approval, but in the One who was despised for our sake, so that we might be called children of God ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Becoming Children of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 53:3

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Job 25:6

How much less man, [that is] a worm? and the son of man, [which is] a worm?

Isaiah 49:7

¶ Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, [and] his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, [and] the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.

Isaiah 41:14

Fear not, thou worm Jacob, [and] ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Psalms 69:7

Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.

Psalms 69:12

They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I [was] the song of the drunkards.

Matthew 11:19

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.