Texts in Conversation
Psalm 45 praises the ideal king as very handsome and given divine authority, a description that parallels ancient Near Eastern traditions where the gods create a king with beautiful features and grant him authority. In both, the king is not simply a political leader but one shaped by the divine.
Share:
The Creation of the King
VAT 17019
Ancient Near East
Ea opened his mouth to speak, saying to Belet-ili: “You are Belet-ili, sister of the great gods; it was you who created man, the human. Fashion now the king, the counsellor man! Gird the whole of his figure so pleasingly, make perfect his countenance and well-formed his body!” And Belet-ili fashioned the king, the counsellor man. The great gods gave the king power in battle. Anu gave him the crown. Enlil gave him the throne. Nergal gave him the weapons. Ninurta gave him glittering brilliance. Belet-ili gave him a beautiful appearance. Nusku gave instructions, gave advice, and was at his service. He who speaks lies and deceit to the king— if it is a ... it will [...]
Date: 600 B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Psalm 45:2
Hebrew Bible
1 For the music director, according to the tune of “Lilies”; by the Korahites, a well-written poem, a love song. My heart is stirred by a beautiful song. I say, “I have composed this special song for the king; my tongue is as skilled as the stylus of an experienced scribe.” 2 You are the most handsome of all men. You speak in an impressive and fitting manner. For this reason God grants you continual blessings. 3 Strap your sword to your thigh, O warrior. Appear in your majestic splendor. 4 Appear in your majesty and be victorious. Ride forth for the sake of what is right, on behalf of justice. Then your right hand will accomplish mighty acts.
Date: 6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Tags:
Search:
Notes and References
"... some gods have made a specialty of everything related to the granting of the title of the king. In the early periods it was mainly the role of Enlil, who was himself king of gods. Later, when Marduk also called Bēl (“Lord”) took his place, he was assisted by his son Nabu who made the kings of Babylon. In Assyria the monarchy was conferred by the national god Aššur and the king was his vicar (iššiakku). Monarchs were indeed enthroned through priests, but received their powers from the world of the gods. As such, they were not individuals like the others, because they were somewhere between the world of men and the divine. Moreover, after the creation of men in order to serve the gods, god Ea suggested modelling the beings destined to lead these new servants. These were of course kings who did not have exactly the same nature as the rest of mankind ..."
Clancier, Philippe
"The Mesopotamian King between Gods and Men in the First Millennium BCE" in Pachoumi, Eleni (ed.) Conceptualising Divine Unions in the Greek and near Eastern Worlds
(pp. 13-44) Brill, 2022
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
Your Feedback:
Leave a Comment
Anonymous comments are welcome. All comments are subject to moderation.