Penitential Psalms
O my god, whom I know and whom I know not, my sins are many, great are my transgressions.
O my goddess, whom I know and whom I know not, my sins are many, great are my transgressions.
The sin that I sinned I knew not.
The transgression wherein I transgressed I knew not.
The lord in the wrath of his heart has looked upon me.
The god in the fierceness of his heart has revealed himself to me.
The goddess has been violent against me and put me to grief.
I seek for help, and none takes my hand.
I weep, and none draws near to my side.
I cry aloud, and there is none that hears me.
I am in trouble and hiding, my face is cast down.
To the god, the merciful one, I turn, I utter my prayer;
The feet of my goddess I kiss and water with tears.
O lord, destroy not thy servant;
When cast into the waters take thou his hand.
The sins that I have sinned turn thou into blessing.
The transgressions I have committed, let the wind sweep them away.
TRANSLATIONS BY H. S. ROBERTSON, "VOICES OF THE PAST."
The Priest speaks:
In sorrow there he sits, with cries of affliction, in trouble of heart. With bitter tears, in bitter sorrow, like the doves he moans grievously, night and day. Unto his merciful god, like a wild cow, he cries, he makes a grievous sighing. Before his god he casts down his face in supplication. He weeps that he may approach, that nothing may hold him back.
The Penitent speaks:
My deed will I declare, my deed which cannot be declared. My words will I repeat, my words which cannot be repeated. O my god, my deed will I declare, my deed which can not be declared.
O my god, who art angry, accept my prayer. O my goddess, who art angry, receive my supplication. Receive my supplication and let thy spirit be at rest. O my goddess, look with pity on me and accept my supplication. Let my sins be forgiven, let my transgressions be blotted out. Let the ban be torn away, let the bonds be loosened. Let the seven winds carry away my sighs. I will rend away my wickedness, let the bird bear it to the heavens. Let the fish carry off my misery, let the river sweep it away. Let the beast of the field take it from me. Let the flowing waters of the river wash me clean.
O mother of the gods, who fulfills their commands, O lady of mankind, who makes the green herb to spring up, who created all things, who guides the whole of creation, O mother Ishtar, whose side no god can approach, O exalted lady, whose command is mighty, a prayer will I utter. That which appears good unto her, may she do unto me. O my lady, from the days of my youth I have been much yoked to misfortune. Food have I not eaten, weeping was my nourishment. Water have I not drunk, tears were my drink. My heart never rejoices, my spirit is never glad.
The Penitent: I, thy servant, full of sighs, cry unto thee. Whosoever has sinned, thou acceptest his fervent prayer. The man on whom thou lookest in pity, that man lives, O ruler of all things, lady of mankind, O merciful one, whose turning is propitious, who acceptestsupplication.
The Priest: Since his god and his goddess are angry with him, he cries unto thee. Turn to him thy countenance and take his hand.
The Penitent: Beside thee, there is no deity that guides aright. In justice look on me with pity and accept my supplication. Declare my forgiveness and let thy spirit be appeased. When, O my lady, will thy countenance be turned? I moan like the doves, I satiate myself with sighs.
The Priest: With pain and grief his spirit is oppressed. He sheds tears, he utters cries of woe.
TRANSLATIONS OF L. W. KING,"BABYLONIAN RELIGION AND MYTHOLOGY."