But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "a worm and not a man" isn't just about feeling small; it emphasizes a complete loss of human dignity and standing. This declaration strips away all societal status and worth, presenting a picture of utter helplessness and degradation, which speaks volumes about the depth of suffering and abandonment being experienced.
But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist begins by recounting past generations' faithfulness and God's deliverance of them, contrasting it with his own present suffering. He feels utterly abandoned, not just by people who mock him with gestures and words, but even by God, leading him to declare his abject state. This profound sense of desolation and humiliation sets the stage for the subsequent cries for help and expressions of deep distress.
Why would someone in such deep distress call themselves a 'worm'? This isn't just about feeling sad; it's a profound statement about utter powerlessness and worthlessness in the eyes of the world.
The imagery of a 'worm' in this verse speaks to a state of complete vulnerability and insignificance. It's a creature that is defenseless, easily crushed, and generally overlooked or despised.
The phrase 'and not a man' is striking. It’s not just about being like a worm, but being something less than human. What does this radical denial of humanity signify?
The declaration 'and not a man' goes beyond mere self-deprecation; it speaks to a profound sense of being divinely abandoned and stripped of human dignity.
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The verse concludes by specifying who is doing the scorning and despising. It’s not just abstract forces, but specific human rejection.
The final part of the verse pinpoints the source of the suffering: the contempt and scorn of ordinary people. This highlights the pain of social rejection and public humiliation.
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 King David's life provides the immediate historical context for this psalm, the profound themes of suffering, rejection, and divine abandonment find their ultimate and most poignant fulfillment in the experience of Jesus Christ.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
Reign of King David
David, the psalmist, faces intense personal suffering and persecution, leading him to pour out his laments to God. This period of his life is believed to be the setting for many of the Psalms.
c. 740 BC
Prophecies of Isaiah
Isaiah prophesies about a suffering servant who will be despised and rejected, echoing the themes of suffering and humiliation found in Psalm 22.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile
The destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of Judah to Babylon creates a context of national suffering and a sense of abandonment by God, a backdrop against which Psalms of lament resonate deeply.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus Christ, in his suffering on the cross, quotes from Psalm 22, fulfilling its prophetic elements. His experience of abandonment and rejection by both God and humanity is seen as the ultimate realization of the psalm's themes.
This passage also uses the imagery of a 'worm' to describe Israel, highlighting their weakness and need for God's help, echoing the utter helplessness described in Psalm 22:6.
Job 25:6This verse describes man as a 'worm' and a 'grub,' emphasizing human frailty and insignificance before God, which parallels the profound self-abasement in Psalm 22:6.
Isaiah 53:2-3These verses beautifully foreshadow the suffering servant who was 'despised and rejected by mankind,' a direct spiritual parallel to the 'scorned by mankind and despised' sentiment of Psalm 22:6, particularly as it applies to Christ.
Luke 18:32Jesus directly predicts his suffering, being delivered to Gentiles, mocked, insulted, and spit upon, which are all experiences that align with the humiliation and contempt described in Psalm 22:6.
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…
The phrase "a worm and not a man" isn't just about feeling small; it emphasizes a complete loss of human dignity and standing. This declaration strips away all societal status and worth, presenting a picture of utter helplessness and degradation, which speaks volumes about the depth of suffering and abandonment being experienced.
The psalmist begins by recounting past generations' faithfulness and God's deliverance of them, contrasting it with his own present suffering. He feels utterly abandoned, not just by people who mock him with gestures and words, but even by God, leading him to declare his abject state. This profound sense of desolation and humiliation sets the stage for the subsequent cries for help and expressions of deep distress.
The psalmist begins by recounting past generations' faithfulness and God's deliverance of them, contrasting it with his own present suffering. He feels utterly abandoned, not just by people who mock him with gestures and words, but even by God, leading him to declare his abject state. This profound sense of desolation and humiliation sets the stage for the subsequent cries for help and expressions of deep distress.
"But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;" — The phrase "a worm and not a man" isn't just about feeling small; it emphasizes a complete loss of human dignity and standing. This declaration strips away all societal status and worth, presenting a…
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Last reviewed October 2026