Plain text of A hymn to the Keeper of the Tablets for Rim-Sin (Rim-Sin B)
1-8 Lord, perfect in august wisdom and recognised for his mighty counsel, who holds the great tablets, who enriches wisdom with wisdom! Accountant, having the final overview of the arts of the house of wisdom; palace archivist of heaven and earth, who keeps count of every single assignment, who holds a holy reed-stylus and covers the great tablets of destiny with writing! Wise one, who prompts with words and attention at the appropriate times; seal-holder of the Lord! He who brings forth the holy objects from the treasure-house of the Great House; ornament of the shrine of the deep.
9-20 God, the Keeper of Provision, who stocks the holy fattening pens; learned in the shrine, whose august name is great, whose mind is discerning; who provides in the great dining-hall! Junior administrator, possessor of wisdom, acknowledged in heaven and earth, who receives the tribute, the abundance of mountains and seas! Interpreter of obscure words, skilful one who steers the august and princely powers! Holding in His hands the holy plans of the temple, who wears the ceremonial robe during pure lustrations! Administrator who performs the opening of the mouth in the heavens and in the underworld, and who is versed in the meaning of obscure tablets; craftsman of the great works!
21-28 He who fixes the standards on their pegs, planner who artfully excavates the soil of the Land, who decorates the floor and makes the dining-hall attractive! Tall and with head high, He whose utterances from the deep shrine are favourable, who carefully holds the pure white loaves of the house of worship! Without Him heaven would not be pure nor earth bright, continual provider of the great meals of the house of God! He who gazes upon the holy precinct; He who holds the holy bronze vessels, who makes hearts rejoice and soothes spirits!
29-38 My Lord, I shall praise Your eminence in song! I will declare Your greatness perpetually! Who is fitted like You for the holy powers? In the deep shrine God, the Creative, has bestowed His words of life on You, great breed-bull, who are recognised for Your right understanding, who constantly care for creation, who operate effectively the assigning of powers, who mark out the places of worship.
39-42 You appoint the high priest for the sanctuary and install him there as its caretaker. You make the shepherd of the Land hold in his hands the august sceptre until distant days. You are God of the Land, who gives ear to the prayers of all the people. You make the king hold the widespread people in his hands under God.
43-48 When the Creative One comes forth from the deep, He assigns its greatness to You. You cause the people who are in its midst to lift their necks towards heaven; You make its population pass their days in rejoicing. You keep all its people forever contented. You establish festivals in the houses of worship; You spread splendour.
49-58 Leader of all, complete the great decrees for the people. Look favourably upon the king with Your gracious gaze that is full of life. Duly grant a joyous reign of long days to prince Rim-Sîn, marking its years on the tablet of life, forever unalterable. May God love the shepherd Rim-Sîn in the office of high priest. The singers will make Your praise resound sweetly in their mouths; the singers will make Your praise resound sweetly in their mouths. Lord of heaven and earth, King of the deep, its praise is august. Your praise is sweet.
59 God, Lord of the Land, who loves the words "Give me life!", extend Your broad arms round prince Rim-Sîn.