exalted deity
36 I firmly established.
37 With all my heart firmly
38 (in) worship of their deities I uprose
39 in reverence for Nebo their Lord.

40 Whereas Merodach, great Lord,
41 the head of My ancient Royalty,
42 hath empowered me over multitudes of men,
43 and (whereas) Nebo bestower of thrones in heaven and
earth,
44 for the sustentation of men,
45 a sceptre of righteousness
46 hath caused my hand to hold;
47 now I, that sacred way
48 for the resting-place of their divinities,
49 for a memorial of all their names,
50 as a worshipper of Nebo, Yav and Istar,
51 for Merodach my Lord I strengthened.
52 Its threshold I firmly laid, and
53 my devotion of heart he accepted, and
54 him did I proclaim
55 ... Lord of all beings, and[3]
56 as Prince of the lofty house, and
57 thou, (O Nebuchadnezzar) hast proclaimed the name of
him
58 who has been beneficent unto thee.
59 His name, (O god,) thou wilt preserve,
60 the path of righteousness thou hast prescribed to him.
61 I, a Prince, and thy worshipper
62 am the work of thy hand;
63 thou hast created me, and[4]
64 the empire over multitudes of men
65 thou hast assigned me,
66 according to thy favor, O Lord,
67 which thou hast accorded
68 to them all.[5]
69 May thy lofty Lordship be exalted!
70 in the worship of thy divinity
71 may it subsist! in my heart
72 may it continue, and my life which to thee is devoted

_(Continued on Column II_.)

[Footnote 1: Two of the principal temples of Babylon. The former occurs
below, Col. ii. 40, where it is followed by the epithet, "Temple of his
power." Dr. Oppert always renders it "la Pyramide et la Tour."]

[Footnote 2: Literally, "the goings." Compare Ps. lxviii. 24: "They have
seen thy goings, O God," i.e., processions.]

[Footnote 3: Of this line Mr. Norris (Dict., p. 166) states "that he
cannot suggest any rendering."]

[Footnote 4: It seems as if the hand were addressed.]

[Footnote 5: I.e., "in making me their ruler."]

COLUMN II

1 mayest thou bless!

2 He, the Chief, the honorable,
3 the Prince of the gods, the great Merodach,
4 my gracious Lord, heard
5 and received my prayer;
6 he favored it, and by his exalted power,
7 reverence for his deity
8 placed he in my heart:
9 to bear his tabernacle
10 he hath made my heart firm,
11 with reverence for thy power,
12 for exalted service,
13 greatly and eternally.

14 The found