Ancient texts / An Accadian Penitential Psalm
An Accadian Penitential Psalm Reverse
1I cried aloud; there was none that would hear me.
2I am in darkness (and) trouble: I lifted not myself up.
3To my god my (distress) I referred; my prayer I addressed.
4The feet of my goddess I embraced.
5To (my) god, who knew (though) I knew not, (my prayer) I addressed.
6To (my) goddess, who knew (though I knew not, my prayer) I addressed.
11How long O my god (shall I suffer?).✦ Psalms 13:1
12How long O my goddess (shall I suffer?).
13How long O my god, who knewest (though) I knew not, shall (thy) strength (oppress me?).
14How long O my goddess, who knewest (though) I knew not, shall thy heart (be wroth?).
15Of mankind thou writest the number and there is none that knoweth.
16Of mankind the name (that) is fully proclaimed how can I know?
17Whether it be afflicted or whether it be blessed there is none that knoweth.
18O Lord, thy servant thou dost not restore.
19In the waters of the raging flood seize his hand.✦ Psalms 103:12
20The sin (that) he has sinned to blessedness bring back.
21The transgression he has committed let the wind carry away.
22My manifold affliction like a garment destroy.
23O my god, seven times seven (are my) transgressions, my transgressions are before (me).✦ Matthew 18:22
24(To be repeated) 10 times. O my goddess, seven times seven (are my) transgressions.
25O god who knowest (that) I knew not, seven times seven (are my) transgressions.
26O goddess who knowest (that) I knew not, seven times seven (are my) transgressions.
27My transgressions are before (me): may thy judgment give (me) life.
28May thy heart like the heart of the mother of the setting day to its place return.
29(To be repeated) 5 times. Like the mother of the setting day (and) the father of the setting day to its place (may it return).
30For the tearful supplication of my heart 65 times let the name be invoked of every god.
31Peace afterward.
32(Colophon) Like its old (copy) engraved and written.
33Country of Assur-bani-pal King of multitudes, King of Assyria.
The next four lines are lost.
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.