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Psalms 22:6

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Psalm 22:6 is a poignant verse that captures a profound sense of humiliation, rejection, and utter degradation. Spoken from the perspective of one in extreme distress, it expresses a feeling of being stripped of all human dignity and reduced to something insignificant and despised.

Historical and Cultural Context

Psalm 22 is a remarkable prophetic psalm, traditionally attributed to King David. While it undoubtedly reflects the intense personal suffering and feelings of abandonment David may have experienced at various times (e.g., during persecution by Saul or Absalom), it is widely recognized by both Jewish and Christian traditions as a powerful Messianic prophecy. The entire psalm, particularly its opening verse ("My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"), is echoed in the New Testament accounts of Jesus's crucifixion, making this verse a direct foretelling of the suffering of Christ.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Humiliation and Abasement: The declaration "I am a worm, and no man" conveys an extreme state of lowliness. It signifies a loss of status, dignity, and even identity as a human being, feeling utterly worthless in the eyes of others.
  • Rejection and Scorn: The phrases "a reproach of men, and despised of the people" highlight the public nature of this suffering. The speaker is not just feeling low internally but is actively scorned, mocked, and looked down upon by society. This theme of being "despised and rejected" is central to Messianic prophecy.
  • Messianic Prophecy: For Christians, this verse powerfully foreshadows the immense physical and emotional suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross. He was indeed treated as less than human, mocked by soldiers and passersby, and utterly despised by many of the very people He came to save. The Gospel accounts of Jesus's passion frequently depict Him as a "reproach of men" (Matthew 27:39-44, Mark 15:29-32, Luke 23:35-39).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "worm" is tola'at (תּוֹלַעַת). This term often refers to the crimson worm (Coccus ilicis), which was crushed to produce a vibrant scarlet dye. While some theological interpretations connect this to the shedding of Christ's blood, the primary meaning in this context emphasizes utter insignificance, vulnerability, and lowliness, akin to something easily trodden upon or considered vile. The contrast with "no man" underscores a complete dehumanization, suggesting a state far below human dignity.

Practical Application

Psalm 22:6 offers profound insights and comfort:

  • Empathy for the Suffering: It helps us understand the depth of suffering and rejection that some individuals experience, fostering empathy and compassion for those who feel worthless or despised.
  • Understanding Christ's Sacrifice: For believers, this verse deepens appreciation for the extent of Christ's suffering. He willingly endured ultimate humiliation, becoming "a worm, and no man," to reconcile humanity to God. His willingness to be despised highlights the immense love behind His redemptive sacrifice.
  • Hope in Despair: Even when one feels utterly abased and abandoned, this psalm ultimately shifts from lament to praise, demonstrating that God hears and delivers even in the most dire circumstances. It reminds us that God is with us even when we feel like "no man."
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 53:3 (13 votes)

    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 (12 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 49:7 (10 votes)

    ¶ 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 (8 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

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

  • Psalms 69:12 (7 votes)

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

  • Matthew 11:19 (5 votes)

    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.