Psalms 22:6
But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
Study Note
Study Note
'But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people' — the psalmist's descent from the divine king of verse 3 to sub-human self-description traces the depth of humiliation experienced by the one abandoned by God yet mocked by spectators. The worm-image ('tola'at') is in some contexts associated with the crimson/scarlet dye extracted from certain insects, but here functions as a symbol of crushedness and worthlessness. The verse is one of the most direct parallels to the passion narrative: Matthew 27:39–44 closely follows the mocking-pattern of Psalm 22:7–8, and Christian reflection from the earliest period has read verse 6 as a portrait of the Incarnate Lord's humiliation.
Other Translations
But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people.
And I <FI>am<Fi> a worm, and no man, A reproach of man, and despised of the people.
But I am a worm and not a man; cursed by men, and looked down on by the people.
Cross References
How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?
In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they …
Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.
They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.
Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.
Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but …
Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut …
Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, …
Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom …