Chaldean Hymns to the Sun

Five hymns to Shamash, the sun-god, who in Mesopotamia is also the god of justice. 'Sun, from the foundations of heaven thou art risen; thou hast unfastened the bolts of the shining skies; thou hast opened the door of heaven.' 'Like a bridegroom thou restest, joyful and gracious.' 'Thou knowest the truth, thou knowest what is false ... the supreme judge of heaven and earth is thyself.' The last two are incantations for the healing of a sick king.

Compare Psalm 19:4–6 — the sun 'as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber' running its course across the sky — which sits right beside a passage on God's law, the same pairing of sun and justice. In the Bible the sun is a created lamp, never addressed in prayer.