The Religion of Babylonia and Assyria

[465]Babylonische Busspsalmen, pp. 1, 2.

[466]I.e., of the deity.

[467] See an article by Francis Brown, "The Religious Poetry of Babylonia," Presbyterian Review, 1888.

[468] Compare the relationship existing between Ea and Marduk, noted above, p. 276. Similarly, Nusku was the messenger to Bel. See p. 279.

[469] On the wider aspects of this conception of the priest among ancient nations, see Frazer, The Golden Bough, passim.

[470] Zimmern, no. 1; IVR. 29, no. 5.

[471] Lit., 'accepts.'

[472] In the original appears a phrase which signifies literally 'when at last,'—an abbreviation for 'when will there be rest,' and which has become a kind of technical phrase to indicate, again, the hoped-for pacification of the deity.

[473] The colophon to one of them (IVR. 10, Reverse 52) declares that the production in question is a "penitential psalm for any god whatsoever."

[474] IVR. 10. Zimmern, no. 4.

[475]I.e., be pacified.

[476]I.e., 'whoever he may be,' as we would say.

[477] Among many nations fasting is resorted to as a means of atonement. It must have been common among the Hebrews during the period of the Babylonian exile—perhaps through Babylonian influence. See Isaiah, lviii. 3.

[478] Lit., rushing water.

[479]I.e., very numerous.

[480] Be pacified.

[481]E.g., IVR. 61.