The Assyrian and Hebrew Hymns of Praise

by Charles Gordon Cumming

In joy over my praise, in joy over my praise

In joy a goddess I walk proudly.

Ishtar goddess of the evening I am

Ishtar goddess of the evening I am.

Part II concludes in a strophe of seven lines, each line setting forth a great feat of Ishtar’s, and ending with the clause: “that is my glory.” Here again it is shown that the presence of a refrain is no certain proof of antiphonal rendering, since the repetition is in the mouth of the individual Ishtar. Part III is the petition.

The hymn to Ramman (Adad No. 3) is also a composition in three parts. Part I, lines 1-14 is a hymn of praise addressed in the second person directly to Ramman, of which the first ten lines are in praise of the name of Ramman. The lines are in three divisions, and the first six lines end with the refrain: “Bull mighty and glorious, is thy name exalted God.”

Ramman the glorious, bull mighty and glorious, is thy name exalted God;

Lord Ramman, bull mighty and glorious, is thy name exalted God;

Ramman heaven’s child bull mighty and glorious, is thy name exalted God;

Lord of Karkar, bull mighty and glorious, is thy name exalted God;