... day when he named Babylon faithfully by its name,
The lord of the crown built at the door of the ocean the house which he loved.
The land with exultation and joy he filled;
Its head like the heavens he made high;
A house at the door of the ocean endowed with grandeur and glory for the honor of his godhead is suitable.
... Nebo and Sarpanitum a glittering sanctuary inhabit;
... he caused to inhabit a dwelling of luxury.
[Tablet breaks off.]
The second fragment, hymn to Bel, No. 1, consists only of five lines, which unfortunately are not altogether intelligible. Apparently the sanctuary of Enlil is compared first to a mountain, whose peak reaches to the heavens, and then to a majestic wild ox stretched out in the mountains, whose horns glitter in the rays of the sun. These hymnal fragments recall the Old Testament psalms in praise of Zion, and perhaps especially Psalm 48:2:
Beautiful for situation, the joy of all the earth