But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
English Standard Version (ESV)
When we read "I am a worm and not a man," it's easy to just see a statement of lowliness. But look closer: calling himself a "worm" highlights utter helplessness and worthlessness in the eyes of the world, while "not a man" emphasizes the dehumanization and rejection he faced, to the point of not even being treated with basic human dignity. This isn't just sadness; it's an acute awareness of being utterly debased and cast out.
But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalm begins with a cry to God in distress, contrasting past deliverances of Israel with the speaker's present suffering. This verse marks a turning point where the speaker describes their own abject condition of being utterly scorned and despised by all of humanity. The verses immediately following detail the mocking gestures and cruel words directed at the speaker, highlighting the depth of their abandonment and humiliation.
What does it mean to be called a 'worm'? It's more than just feeling small; it's a profound declaration of helplessness and worthlessness.
When the psalmist cries, "But I am a worm and not a man," he's expressing an extreme sense of degradation.
A Being Without Defense
A worm has no strength, no ability to fight back, no power to defend itself. It's utterly at the mercy of whatever comes along. This isn't just about feeling weak; it's about being stripped of any inherent power or status.
The Lowest of the Low
This imagery speaks to a state of being completely trampled upon, ignored, and despised. It's a deliberate contrast to being a 'man' – a being with dignity, rights, and the capacity to act and be recognized. The psalmist feels so abased that the very category of 'man' no longer applies; he is reduced to something less than human.
It's one thing to feel insignificant, but it's another to be actively mocked and rejected by everyone around you.
The verse doesn't stop at internal feelings of worthlessness; it details the public reception of this suffering.
Reproach and Contempt
The phrases "scorned by mankind" and "despised by the people" paint a picture of public humiliation. This isn't just a private struggle; it's a public spectacle where the psalmist is subjected to scorn and contempt.
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The Rejection of Humanity
This rejection is so complete that the psalmist feels he's not even treated as a fellow human being. The commentaries note how this points to an experience beyond typical human suffering – a desolation where even the basic recognition of humanity is absent. The onlookers mock, thrust out their lips, and shake their heads, signaling utter disdain.
This lament isn't just King David's personal pain; it's a powerful prophecy pointing to a greater, suffering servant.
The profound depth of suffering described in this verse has always pointed beyond David to Jesus Christ.
The Suffering Servant
Commentators consistently highlight how this passage finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. He, more than anyone, experienced being treated as less than human, utterly despised, and rejected by his own people.
More Than Human, Less Than Human?
While Jesus is fully God and fully man, his earthly ministry involved immense suffering and degradation. He was called a deceiver, demon-possessed, and ultimately treated with the utmost contempt. The "worm" imagery captures His voluntary descent into the lowest possible state for our salvation, a state of utter helplessness and public shame.
The Purpose of the Descent
This extreme humiliation wasn't for nothing. It was precisely through this profound abasement, this suffering as a despised 'worm,' that Christ accomplished our redemption. His willingness to be so utterly scorned and humbled reveals the depth of God's love and the power of His plan.
Understand the original words
tola'ath · Hebrew Noun
A term used to express extreme humility, helplessness, and social insignificance, often depicting someone who is being trampled upon or treated with utter contempt.
ish · Hebrew Noun
A term referring to the human race or humanity in general, often emphasizing our status as creatures created by God, yet fallen and prone to sin.
While David likely penned Psalm 22 to express his personal anguish and God's faithfulness amidst deep suffering, its powerful imagery of a despised, forsaken figure suffering immensely resonated profoundly with later generations, especially Christians who saw it as a prophetic foretelling of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David's Reign and Psalms Composition
David, a prominent king of Israel, composed many Psalms during his tumultuous life, which included periods of intense suffering, persecution, and betrayal.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Ministry
The prophet Isaiah ministered, and his writings contain parallels in imagery and themes to Psalm 22, particularly concerning a suffering servant figure.
c. 500 BC
Babylonian Exile
Many of the Psalms were compiled and preserved during and after the Babylonian Exile, a period of national suffering and reflection.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, seen by Christians as the fulfillment of prophetic texts and the Messiah, endured immense suffering, mockery, and death on the cross, echoing the sentiments of Psalm 22.
This passage uses the same imagery of a 'worm' to describe Israel's perceived weakness and insignificance before God, highlighting a theme of divine reassurance to the vulnerable.
Job 25:6This verse directly parallels 'man' with 'worm' in the context of human insignificance before God, echoing the profound humility and abasement found in Psalms 22:6.
Isaiah 53:3This prophecy describes the Suffering Servant as 'despised and rejected by men,' directly aligning with the experience of scorn and contempt detailed in the psalm, pointing to Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment.
Luke 18:32Jesus predicts his suffering, mocking, and crucifixion, showing how this psalm's lament over being treated as less than human was a foreview of the Messiah's actual experience.
clarkePsalms 22:6: "But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people."
But I am a worm, and no man - I can see no sense in which our Lord could use these terms. David might well use them to express his vileness and worthlessness. The old Psalter gives this a remarkable turn: I am a worme, that es, I am borne of the mayden with outen manseede; and nout man anely, bot god als so: and nevir the latter, I am reprove of men. In spitting, buffetyng, and punging with the thornes an…
poolePsalms 22:6: "But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people."
Our fathers were honoured by thee and by others, because of thy appearance for their defence and deliverance; but I am treated like a worm, i.e. neglected and despised, both by thee, who dost not afford me help, and by the men of my age and nation, as it follows. For the phrase, see Job 25:6 Isaiah 41:14 . Despised of the people; not only of the great men, but also of the common people; which doth not so…
When we read "I am a worm and not a man," it's easy to just see a statement of lowliness. But look closer: calling himself a "worm" highlights utter helplessness and worthlessness in the eyes of the world, while "not a man" emphasizes the dehumanization and rejection he faced, to the point of not even being treated with basic human dignity. This isn't just sadness; it's an acute awareness of being utterly debased and cast out.
The psalm begins with a cry to God in distress, contrasting past deliverances of Israel with the speaker's present suffering. This verse marks a turning point where the speaker describes their own abject condition of being utterly scorned and despised by all of humanity. The verses immediately following detail the mocking gestures and cruel words directed at the speaker, highlighting the depth of their abandonment and humiliation.
The psalm begins with a cry to God in distress, contrasting past deliverances of Israel with the speaker's present suffering. This verse marks a turning point where the speaker describes their own abject condition of being utterly scorned and despised by all of humanity. The verses immediately following detail the mocking gestures and cruel words directed at the speaker, highlighting the depth of their abandonment and humiliation.
"But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people." — When we read "I am a worm and not a man," it's easy to just see a statement of lowliness. But look closer: calling himself a "worm" highlights utter helplessness and worthlessness in the eyes of the…
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Last reviewed October 2026