Praise Poems of Lipit-Eshtar (Lipit-Eshtar A): translation

The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in bluemixed-breed demigods in teal…)

          1-6 I am a king treated with respect, good offspring from the womb.

        I am Lipit-Ectar (King Lipit-Ishtar), the (semi-divine mixed-breed) son (descendant) of Enlil.

        From the moment I lifted my head like a cedar sapling,

        I have been a man who possesses strength in athletic pursuits (mixed-breed).

        As a young man I grew very muscular (bigger, stronger, faster, smarter, & could live longer than earthlings) (?).

        I am a lion in all respects (3 mss. have instead: to the extremes (?)), having no equal (bigger, faster, stronger, smarter, & could live longer than earthlings).

        7-16 I am a gaping dragon, a source of great awe for the soldiers.

        3b - Anzu seal (Anzu as a bird of flight)

        I am like the Anzud (Anzu) bird, peering about in the heart of the mountains.

        I am a wild bull whom nobody dares oppose in its anger.

        I am a bison, sparkling with beautiful eyes, having a lapis-lazuli beard; I am …….

        With my kind eyes and friendly mouth, I lift people’s spirits.

        I have a most impressive figure, lavishly endowed with beauty (of the gods).

        I have lips appropriate for all words.

        As I lift my arms, I have beautiful fingers.

        I am a very handsome young man, fine to admire.

          17-22 I am Lipit-Ectar, king of the Land.

        I am the good shepherd of the black-headed (all known earthlings).

        I am the foremost in the foreign countries, and exalted in the Land.

        I am a human god (“mighty man”, “man of renown”, giant mixed-breed), the lord of the numerous people.

        I am the strong heir of kingship.

        Holding my head high, I am established in my position.

        2 - Mars-Nergal, then Nabu Symbol (Inanna & giant mixed-breed, symbols of religions used by alien gods tens of thousands of years ago,& now today, they started it all!)

        23-32 I am An‘s (Anu‘s) purification priest (high-priest) with purified hands.

        An placed the great and good crown firmly on my head.

        Enlil gave the scepter to me, his beloved son, in the Ki-ur.

         I am what makes Ninlil (Enlil‘s spouse) happy: she determined a good fate in the Ja-jic-cua.

        I have been made excellently beautiful by Nintud (Ninhursag), the joyful woman, in brick-built Kec (Kish).

        I am one looked on favorably by Nanna (Nannar): he spoke to me affirmatively in Urim (Ur).

          33-42 Uta-ulu (Ninurta) imbued me, the man of his heart, with great awesomeness in E-cu-me-ca.

        I am he on whom Enki has bestowed wisdom: he gave me kingship in Eridug (Eridu).

        1d - Inanna in the nude (Inanna, Goddess of Love, espoused many mixed-breed kings for thousands of years)

        As the beloved husband of Inanna, I lift my head high in the place Unug (Uruk).

        (Nisaba, Enlil, Ninlil, & giant semi-divine king)

        I am a proficient scribe of Nisaba (Enlil‘s mother-in-law, Master Scribe & Goddess of Grains).

        I am a young man whose word Utu confirms.

        I am the perfection of kingship.

        I am Lipit-Ectar, Enlil‘s (mixed-breed descendant) son (made king by alien gods).

        2a - Enlil, Anu's son & heir  (Enlil, Earth Colony Commander, heir to King Anu‘s throne)

          43-50 I am he who makes an abundant crop grow, the life of the Land.

        I am a farmer, piling up his grain piles.

        I am a shepherd making fat and milk abundant in the cow-pen.

        I am he who makes the fish and birds grow bigger in the marshes.

        I am (the mixed-breed worker for the gods) a river of plenty, bringing flowing water.

        I am he who increases the splendor of the great mountains.

        I have been given enormous strength by Enlil.

        I am Lipit-Ectar, his young man who respects him.

        Feasting - priest caters to god at the Temple  (earthling workers providing all the needs of the gods)

          51-61 I am the provider (butler, high-priest) of the gods.

        I am he who cares unceasingly for the E-kur (Enlil‘s temple residence in Nippur).

        I am the king clutching a kid to the breast as a gift.

        4t - 2 goddesses, Nannar, & Utu, goat sacrifice  (alien gods & a kid as a gift)

        I pray in all humility. I am a king standing in prayer.

        I am he who speaks friendly words to appease Enlil.

        I am he whose prayers make Ninlil happy.

        I am he who serves Nuska (Enlils chancellor) indefatigably.

        I am he who is ever praying (?) at the Ki-ur.

        Bestowing many things, I am perfect for the foundation (1 ms. has perhaps: city).

        I am one who always hurries, but whose knees never tire.

          62-70 Bringing first fruits, I do not pass by the E-babbar (Utu‘s ziggurat residence in his patron city Sippar).

        I am he who records abundance for Nibru (Nippur).

        1y - Nippur, Enlil's City in the 1st Region2c - Kish walls, 5th city in Mesopotamia (Kish city wall)

        I serve Kec as its purification priest.

        3b - Nannar's Temple in Ur, Terah was the high-priest  (Nannar‘s ziggurat ruins residence in Ur)

        I am first-rate fat and first-rate milk for Urim.

        2ba - Enki's Temple-Ziggourat in Eridu (Eridu ruins, Enki‘s city & residence)

        I am indefatigable with respect to Eridug.

        2cd - Anu's temple-home in Uruk  (Uruk ruins, ziggurat residence of many alien gods)

        I am he who increases the food offerings for the place Unug.

        3a - nippur ziggurat, Enlil's home on Earth  (E-kur ruins inside Nippur ziggurat residence of Enlil & Ninlil)

        I am he to whom life was given in the E-kur.

        I am he who desires liveliness for his city.

        I am Lipit-Ectar, the shepherd of all foreign lands.

          71-81 I, the king, am like pounding waves in battle.

        Girded in manliness, I never loosen my harness.

        I am he who sharpens his dagger.

        In battle I flash like lightning.

        A firm foundation, I repulse the troops.

        I am a sajkal stone, a pecpec stone.

        I am a siege shield, a screen for the army.

        A clear-eyed warrior, I make the troops firm.

         (Enlil & his semi-divine king of Sumer)

        I am Lipit-Ectar, Enlil‘s (giant semi-divine mixed-breed descendant) son.

        Like a waterskin with cool water, I am life for the young men.

        Keeping my eyes on the road, I am the protection (1 ms. has perhaps: the aid) of the soldiers.

        82-92 I am a king who, as he sits, is fitted for the throne.

        I am possessed of a weighty persona for speaking.

        I am one with a far-reaching mind and intellect, examining requests.

        I do not hurry over anything, but research its background.

        I have a far-reaching heart and broad wisdom.

        I am a stone that brings …… out of the Land.

        I am one that has truth in his mouth.

        I am one who never destroys a just person.

        I am a judge who, in making a decision, weighs his words fairly.

        I am one who is well-acquainted with giving orders to the foreign lands.

        I have established justice in Sumer and Akkad, and made the Land feel content.

        93-97 What of my truthful things can be thrown away?

        I, prince Lipit-Ectar, keep the people on a straight path.

        As regards my integrity: in what respect have I ever been idle?

         I am a strong person who has brought distinction to everything.

         (descendant of Enlil, the Earth Colony Commander)

        I am Lipit-Ectar, Enlil‘s (descendant) son.

          98-108 In my royal palace, my holy and good residence, my spouse holy Inanna made firm the foundation of my throne.

        She will embrace me forever and eternally.

        I will spend all day for the Mistress in the good (1 ms.: lapis-lazuli (blue-hued gem stone)

        1c - Astarte, Hittite goddess of love (Inanna in bed, Goddess of Love, she espoused many mixed-breed kings for thousands of years)

        bedchamber that fills the heart with joy!

        I am Lipit-Ectar, the powerful heir; I am the king that makes justice prominent.

        May my name be called on in all the foreign lands!

        I am Lipit-Ectar, Enlil‘s son.

        It is sweet to praise me.      (WOW!)

Praise of Lipit-Eshtar (Lipit-Eshtar B): translation

The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature

(Texts: All Artifacts, Color Coding, & Writings in Bold Type With Italics Inside Parenthesis, are Added by Editor R. Brown, not the Authors, Translators, or Publishers!)

(gods in bluemixed-breed demigods in teal…)

          1-14 Lipit-Ectar, proud king, enthroned prince, most seemly offshoot of kingship,

        who walks like Utu, brilliant light of the Land, lofty in nobility, riding on the great divine (alien technologies) powers ;

          (Ninlil on shore, Enlil, & their son Nuska)

        who settles the people in the four quarters; favored by Enlil, beloved by Ninlil,

        trustworthy youth with shining eyes, worthy of the throne-dais,

        whose seemly head is adorned with the tiara, the good headdress, who holds in his hand (1 ms. has instead: is perfect with)

        the scepter over the black-headed, prince (King) Lipit-Ectar, son of Enlil, wise shepherd,

        who leads the people to let them relax …… in pleasant shade, lord, great bison, beloved by An (Anu)!

        Your trust is put in mother (step-mother) Ninlil (Enlil‘s spoue); Lipit-Ectar, you exert great power.

         1e - Ishtar, goddess of love (Inanna, Goddess of Love & War, spouse to many, many mixed-breed kings)

        15-24 You, who speak as sweet as honey, whose name suits the mouth, longed-for husband of Inanna,

        to whom Enki gave broad wisdom as a gift!

          (Nisaba, alien gods Master Scribe, Goddess of Grains, & Master Surveyor)

        Nisaba (Enlil‘s mother-in-law), the woman radiant with joy, the true woman,

        the scribe, the lady who knows everything, guides your fingers on the clay:

        she makes them put beautiful wedges on the tablets and adorns them with a golden stylus.

        Nisaba generously bestowed upon you the measuring rod,

        the surveyor’s gleaming line, the yardstick, and the tablets which confer wisdom.

        25-39 Lipit-Ectar, Enlil‘s son, you have realized justice and righteousness.

        Lord, your goodness covers everything as far as the horizon.

        King Lipit-Ectar, counselor with huge intelligence, who never tires of discussion,

        wise one whose decisions guide the people, amply wise, knowing everything in great detail!

        To decide justly the lawsuits of foreign countries, you recognize true and false even in people’s thoughts.

        Lipit-Ectar, you …… the wicked, but you also know how to save someone by commuting his death sentence;

        you know how to free someone from the severe punishment, from the jaws of destruction.

       The mighty do not commit robbery and the strong do not abuse the weak anymore:

        you have established justice in Sumer and Akkad and made the Land feel content.

          40-50 Lipit-Ectar, king of Isin, king of Sumer and Akkad, you are the tablet writer of Nibru;

        Lipit-Ectar, you are the constant attendant of the E-kur, (Enlils temple residence in Nippur).

       3a - nippur ziggurat, Enlil's home on Earth2e - Enlil's home in Nippur (Enlil‘s E-kur residence in Nippur)

        You are the beloved one of Enlil‘s and Ninlil‘s hearts.

        Hero Ninurta is your mighty commissioner.

        Chief minister Nuska is your aid in all matters.

        You have been rightly chosen by Nintud (Ninhursag) as the purification priest of Kec.

        When in Urim, you are the youth who has the attention of Suen (Nannar).

        You are the one to whom Enki gave the good headdress in Eridug (Enki‘s city).

        1o - Astarte - Inanna, lover of many kings  (Inanna, Nannar‘s & Ningal‘s daughter, twin sister to Utu)

        In Unug, Lipit-Ectar, you are the delight of holy Inanna’s heart.

        In Isin, Ninisina (Bau / Gula) set up your lofty throne-dais.

        51-56 Among joyful songs of the heart, in an auspicious regnal year,

        the prince, the powerful prince surpassing in greatness and majesty,

        your father Icme-Dagan, king of the Land, made the foundations of his throne firm for you.

        On the orders of An and Enlil, he (1 ms. has instead: you) silenced the loud (?) strife of the foreign countries.

          57-63 Lipit-Ectar, Enlil‘s (giant mixed-breed descendant) son (made into king),

        you have made every mouth speak of your righteousness.

        The tablets will forever speak your praise (1 ms. has instead:

        May your praise never disappear from the tablets) in the e-duba.

        May the scribes …… and glorify you greatly!

        May eulogies of you never cease in the e-duba!

        Perfect shepherd, youthful (descendant) son of Enlil, Lipit-Ectar, be praised!