Ancient texts / An Accadian Penitential Psalm
An Accadian Penitential Psalm Obverse
1The heart of my Lord was wroth: to his place may he return.✦ Psalms 85:4
2From the man that (sinned) unknowingly to his place may (my) god return.
3From him that (sinned) unknowingly to her place may (the) goddess return.
4May God who knoweth (that) he knew not to his place return.
5May the goddess who knoweth (that) he knew not to her place return.
6May the heart of my god to his place return.
7May the heart of my goddess to his place return.
8May my god and my goddess (unto their place) return.
9May god (unto his place) return.
10May the goddess (unto her place return).
11The transgression (that I committed my god) knew it.
12The transgression (that I committed my goddess knew it).
13The holy name (of my god I profaned?).
14The holy name (of my goddess I profaned?).
18The waters of the sea (the waters of my tears) do I drink.
19That which was forbidden by my god with my mouth I ate.
20That which was forbidden by my goddess in my ignorance I trampled upon.
21O my Lord, my transgression (is) great, many (are) my sins.✦ Psalms 51:1
22O my god, my transgression (is) great, my sins (are many).
23O my goddess, my transgression (is) great, my sins (are many).
24O my god that knowest (that) I knew not, my transgression (is) great, my sins (are many).
25O my goddess, that knowest (that) I knew not, my transgression (is) great, my sins (are many).
26The transgression (that) I committed I knew not.
27The sin (that) I sinned I knew not.
28The forbidden thing did I eat.
29The forbidden thing did I trample upon.
30My Lord in the wrath of his heart has punished me.
31God in the strength of his heart has overpowered me.
32The goddess upon me has laid affliction and in pain has set me.
33God who knew, (though) I knew not, hath pierced me.
34The goddess who knew (though) I knew not hath caused darkness.
35I lay on the ground and no man seized me by the hand.
36I wept, and my palms none took.
The next three lines are obliterated.
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.