The Hymn (Praise of God & King)
To name a god's powers in order was itself an act of worship — praise as the binding of heaven and earth.
Praise — of gods, temples, and kings — is one of the largest genres in Mesopotamian literature. Hymns pile up a deity's titles, recount their cosmic powers, and exalt the temple as the navel of the world; royal hymns do the same for the king, presenting him as the gods' chosen and a paragon of strength, wisdom, and justice. Sumerian hymns came in many named sub-types (tigi, adab, balbale, shir-gida), each tied to its melody and cultic use. To praise rightly was itself an act of piety, binding the worshipper, the god, and the singing community together.
Key passages(20)
O king, you are the …… shepherd of the city which thrives like cattle! Ninazu, you are the …… shepherd of the city which thrives like cattle! My lord Ninazu, you are the …… shepherd of the city which
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Hero, lord of field and meadow, lion of the distant mountains! Ninĝišzida, who brings together giant snakes and dragons! Great wild bull who, in the murderous battle, is a flood that ……! Beloved by hi
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God of prosperity born to An and gazed upon by Uraš -- Šu-Suen, like Nanna expert in judgment, …… before Enlil, from your birth you were a man of might whose name was proclaimed by Nanna! Šu-Suen, her
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A hymn to Bau's beneficent protective goddess (Bau A)
Let us …… praise (?) you, the beneficent protective goddess of Bau. She does not ……. She does not go to the rich …… nor ……. She does not ……. The barge of Suen as it proceeds -- lady, is not yours as
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There is a city, there is a city whose powers are apparent. Niĝin is the city whose powers are apparent. The holy city is the city whose powers are apparent. The mountain rising from the water is the
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Hero, majestic, awe-inspiring son of Enlil, battering like a storm and roaring against the rebel lands! Immense at his front, at his rear surging as a flood, after he ……, …… this place; Lord Mešlamta-
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Lady coloured like the stars of heaven, holding perfectly endowed with a lapis-lazuli tablet! Nisaba, great wild cow born by Uraš, wild sheep nourished on good milk among holy alkaline plants, opening
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Lord who inspires awe in heaven and on earth, who is resplendent in the Land, engendered for kingship by your father, your awesomeness weighs upon the black-headed. The Anuna, the great gods, cower to
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God who …… among the gods, coming forth on high, perfecting the divine powers of heaven! Outstanding crown, radiance, ……, prince, …… of heaven, justly cherished by An and Uraš! Born in Dur-an-ki! Ligh
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…… that fills the holy heavens, an adept (?) exuding radiance (?), Nanna, your crown is holy! Unique lord, …… lord who …… the heavens, shining in the high heavens, ……, spreading advice throughout heav
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My lady, gracious woman, child of holy An, adorned with attractiveness, Enlil's beloved one, who is imbued with great fearsomeness and issues from the interior of heaven, the cherished lady of the god
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Child of An, he has chosen you in his holy heart in the great sky and on the great earth and made you worthy of the ladyship of the Land. Bau, child of An, he has chosen you in his holy heart in the g
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An adab to Suen for Ibbi-Suen (Ibbi-Suen C)
…… of heaven and earth, renewing his light, …… just prince who comes forth, Suen, whom the Great Mountain engendered to be a princely lord, He is forceful, he is the king of heaven and earth! Lord Aši
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…… new ……. …… august words. Enki has named you with the name Id-lu-rugu , the sublime course ……. You cleanse the just man like gold, and you hand over the wicked to extinction. Nourished on the good
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Princely lord ……, great lord of heaven ……! In the city which like the sea inspires awe! Far-seeing Suen, ruler of Urim! O Suen, princely lord ……, great lord of heaven ……! In the city which like the se
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…… to you. …… a flood-wave in the river, sweeping over everything like a destructive flood. My king, from your ……. King, from your birth you have …… in abundance. Ninĝišzida, your praise is sweet …….
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A tigi to Suen for Ibbi-Suen (Ibbi-Suen A)
Lord whose divine powers cannot be dispersed, who emits an awe-inspiring radiance, great crown! Youthful Suen, light elevated by Enlil to shine forth in the firmament, wide-spreading majestic light, f
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A šir-namgala (?) to Inana for Ur-Ninurta (Ur-Ninurta A)
……, when she augustly appears, no one can keep pace with her, …… glowing in the night, …… with awe-inspiring splendour. The great gods are filled with fear at her ……. Her …… utterances are as grand as
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An adab to Nergal for Šu-ilīšu (Šu-ilīšu A)
Lord, furiously raging storm, confusing the enemies and unleashing (?) great terror over the Land, Nergal, mighty quay of heaven and earth, who …… all living things, lord who guards (?) the teeming pe
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I will praise the greatness of the …… who was engendered vigorous by great An -- holy Ninisina, who brought youthful power from the womb, who was brought up sitting on the holy knees of Uraš; who was
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