Psalms 22:6

But I ¹  am a worm, ²  not a man; ³  people insult me and despise me. ⁴ 

Job 25:6; Ps 31:1; Ps 69:7-12,19,20; Ps 88:8; Isa 41:14; Isa 49:7; Isa 53:3; La 3:30; Mt 11:19; Mt 12:24; Mt 27:20-23; Joh 7:15,20,47-49; Joh 8:48; Heb 13:12; Re 15:3

¹ tn The grammatical construction (conjunction + pronoun) highlights the contrast between the psalmist’s experience and that of his ancestors. When he considers God’s past reliability, it only heightens his despair and confusion, for God’s present silence stands in stark contrast to his past saving acts.

² tn The metaphor expresses the psalmist’s self-perception, which is based on how others treat him (see the following line).

³ tn Or “not a human being.” The psalmist perceives himself as less than human.

⁴ tn Heb “a reproach of man and despised by people.”