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BABYLONIAN PENITENTIAL PSALMS
9

Sanctuaries, shrines, divine dwellings, and temples worship thee!
Where is thy name not [heard]? Where not thy decrees?
Where are thy images not made? Where art thy temples not founded?
Where art thou not great? Where art thou not exalted?
Anu, Enlil, and Ea have exalted thee, among the gods have they increased thy dominion.
They have exalted thee among the Igigi, they have made thy place great.
At the thought of thy name the heaven and earth quake,
The gods tremble, the Anunaki falter.
Mighty is thy name, mankind payeth homage thereto,
For thou art great, and thou art exalted.
All the black-headed race, all mankind, adore thy power.
Thou judgest the cause of men with justice and righteousness;
Thou regardest with mercy the despised man, thou settest right the downtrodden every morning.
How long wilt thou tarry, O lady of heaven and earth, shepherdess of pale-faced men?
How long will thou tarry, O lady of the holy E-anna, the pure storehouse?
How long wilt thou tarry, O lady whose feet are unwearied, whose knees are vigorous?
How long wilt thou tarry, O lady of conflict and all battles?
O thou glorious one, that ragest among the Igigi, that subduest angry gods,
That hast power over all princes, that holdest the sceptre of kings,
That openest the bonds of all handmaids,
That art raised on high, that art firmly established—
O valiant Ishtar, great is thy might!
Brilliant torch of heaven and earth, light of all dwellings,
Terrible in the fight, without a rival, strong in battle!