On earth what man is great? alas! no one,
For thou alone art great! through earth's vast bounds.
When wide thy awful voice in Heaven resounds,
The gods fall prostrate to our Holy One;
When on the earth thy voice afar resounds,
The genii[16] bow to thee and kiss the dust.
In thee, O Samas! do I put my trust,
For thy great love and mercy wide abounds!
O my Creator, God, thy watchfulness
O'er me, oh may it never cease!
Keep thou the opening of my lips! the fleece
Of purest snow be my soul's daily dress.
Guard thou my hands! O Samas, Lord of Light!
And ever keep my life and heart aright!
[Footnote 1: "Bar-ru," an army officer]
[Footnote 2: "Su-bar-tu," Syria]
[Footnote 3: "Bur-khi-is," antelopes]
[Footnote 4: "Tsabi," gazelles]
[Footnote 5: "Lig-bar-ri," hyenas]
[Footnote 6: "Nes-i," lions]
[Footnote 7: "Na-a-li," spotted stags]
[Footnote 8: "Bu-hir-tser-i," beasts of the field]