Psalms 22:6

22:6 But I ¹  am a worm, ²  not a man; ³ 

people insult me and despise me. ⁴ 

Isaiah 29:22

29:22 So this is what the Lord, the one who delivered Abraham, says to the family of Jacob: ⁵ 

“Jacob will no longer be ashamed;

their faces will no longer show their embarrassment. ⁶ 

Isaiah 41:11

41:11 Look, all who were angry at you will be ashamed and humiliated;

your adversaries ⁷  will be reduced to nothing ⁸  and perish.

[22:6]  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.

[22:6]  ² tn The metaphor expresses the psalmist’s self-perception, which is based on how others treat him (see the following line).

[22:6]  ³ tn Or “not a human being.” The psalmist perceives himself as less than human.

[22:6]  ⁴ tn Heb “a reproach of man and despised by people.”

[29:22]  ⁵ tn Heb “So this is what the Lord says to the house of Jacob, the one who ransomed Abraham.” The relative pronoun must refer back to “the Lord,” not to the immediately preceding “Jacob.” It is uncertain to what event in Abraham’s experience this refers. Perhaps the name “Abraham” stands here by metonymy for his descendants through Jacob. If so, the Exodus is in view.

[29:22]  ⁶ tn Heb “and his face will no longer be pale.”

[41:11]  ⁹ tn Heb “the men of your strife”; NASB “those who contend with you.”

[41:11]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “like nothing”; NAB “come to nought.”