The Assyrian and Hebrew Hymns of Praise

by Charles Gordon Cumming

Arise O God, judge the earth,

For thou shalt inherit all the nations.

—Psalm 82:8.

The rendering of justice by the Assyrian deity is contemplated by his worshippers with joy:

Let Babylon rejoice in thee, let Esagila exult in thee,

Thou judgest with justice, and formest decisions.

—Hymn to Marduk No. 1.

As Yahwe’s final act of judgment is so comprehensive and momentous, the joy of Yahwe’s people is immeasurably greater than the enthusiasm of military victory. It is interesting to recall that one of the earliest, if not the earliest of all the Hebrew hymns, that sung by Miriam and the Hebrew women, celebrated a victory:

Sing ye to Yahwe, for he hath triumphed gloriously,

The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.