full (?) of fear.
Ruler of the land, protector of sanctuaries, proclaimer of their name.
Father, begetter of the gods and of men, establishing dwellings and
granting gifts,
Calling to sovereignty, giving the sceptre, who decreest destinies for
distant days.
Strong chief, whose wide heart embraces in mercy all that exists,
... beautiful, whose knees do not grow weary, who opens the road (?)
for the gods, his brothers,
... who, from the foundation of heaven till the zenith,
Passes along in brilliancy (?), opening the door of heaven,
Preparing the fate (?) of humanity.
Father, begetter of everything, ...
Lord, proclaiming the decisions of heaven and earth,
Whose command is not set aside,
... and granting water[440] for all that has life.
No god reaches to thy fullness.
In heaven who is exalted? Thou alone art exalted.
On earth who is exalted? Thou alone art exalted.
Thy strong command is proclaimed in heaven, and the Igigi prostrate
themselves.
Thy strong command is proclaimed on earth, and the Anunnaki kiss the
ground.
Thy strong command on high, like a storm in the darkness, passes
along, and nourishment streams forth.
When thy strong command is established on the earth, vegetation
sprouts forth.
Thy strong command stretches over meadows and heights, and life is
increased.
Thy strong command produces right and proclaims justice to mankind.
Thy strong command, through the distant heavens and the wide earth,
extends to whatever there is.
Thy strong command, who can grasp it? Who can rival it?
Lord, in heaven is [thy] sovereignty, on earth is thy sovereignty.
Among the gods, thy brothers, there is none like thee.
O King of Kings, who has no judge superior to him, whose divinity is
not surpassed by any other![441]

A more perfect idealization of the mythological notions connected with
the moon-god can hardly be imagined. The old metaphors are retained, but
interpreted in a manner that reflects higher spiritual tendencies. The
moon is still figured as a bull, but it is the idea of strength that is
extracted from the picture and dwelt upon. The writer still thinks of
the moon as an old man with flowing beard, but he uses the figure to
convey the impression of the brilliancy of the great orb. The influence
of the moon upon the change of seasons, upon vegetation,--a belief which
the Babylonians shared with other nations,-