Ancient texts / Chaldean Hymns to the Sun
Chaldean Hymns to the Sun Second Hymn
1Lord, illuminator of the darkness, who piercest the face of darkness,
2merciful god, who settest up those that are bowed down, who sustainest the weak,
3toward the light the great gods direct their glances,
4the archangels of the abyss, every one of them, contemplate eagerly thy face.
5The language of praise, as one word, thou directest it.
6The host of their heads seeks the light of the Sun in the South.
7Like a bridegroom thou restest joyful and gracious.✦ Psalms 19:5
8In thy illumination thou dost reach afar to the boundaries of heaven.
9Thou art the banner of the vast earth.
10O God! the men who dwell afar off contemplate thee and rejoice.
11The great gods fix ...
12Nourisher of the luminous heavens, who favorest ...
13He who has not turned his hands (toward thee ...
14....
Editorial restorations by the translator are in [square brackets]; “…” and italic notes mark where the tablet is broken. Bracketed scene-headings are the translator's, not part of the text.