Perhaps a young man, insecure and struggling. He was experiencing the pain of scorn and contempt. He was being taunted and was despised. There was also the pain of slander and conspiracy. Someone was out to get him.
Leadership exposes one to attacks, jealousies and ridicule.
Daniel was an example of this. Totally honest and incorruptible, so he was set up. Those who make a stand for integrity and honesty can find themselves ridiculed or made the butt of cruel jokes. Here, the psalmist becomes a person who knows how we feel. He has been there before us.