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In Psalm 69, the psalmist prays for the unrighteous to be removed from the heavenly scroll of the living, based on ancient Near Eastern traditions, such as the hymn to the goddess Nungal, who records the names of the righteous on a heavenly tablet.
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A Hymn to Nungal
Manungal
Ancient Near East
Mercy and compassion are mine. I frighten no one. I keep an eye upon the black-headed people; they are under my surveillance. I hold the tablet of life in my hand and I write the names of the righteous ones on it. The evildoers cannot escape my arm; I learn their deeds. All countries look to me as to their divine mother. I temper severe punishments; I am a compassionate mother. I cool down even the angriest heart, sprinkling it with cool water. I calm down the wounded heart; I snatch men from the jaws of destruction.
Date: 1900 B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Psalm 69:28
Hebrew Bible
26 For they harass the one whom you discipline; they spread the news about the suffering of those whom you punish. 27 Hold them accountable for all their sins. Do not vindicate them. 28 May their names be deleted from the scroll of the living. Do not let their names be listed with the godly. 29 I am oppressed and suffering. O God, deliver and protect me. 30 I will sing praises to God’s name. I will magnify him as I give him thanks.
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Notes and References
"... In a Sumerian hymn to Nungal the goddess discusses her justice as she punishes the wicked and brings mercy to those who deserve it. She claims to hold the tablets of life in her hands, on which she writes the names of the just ... compare also with Malachi 3:16 ..."
Walton, John H.
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament
(p. 539) InterVarsity Press, 2000
* 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.
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