How did ideas about sin and forgiveness develop in later Mesopotamian religion?

In the later stages of Mesopotamian religion, specifically during the 2nd and 1st millennia BCE, there was a significant evolution toward a more personal form of religion. This development shifted the religious focus from communal or state-level concerns toward individual experiences, including a growing emphasis on concepts of sin and forgiveness.12

As the divine polity transitioned into an absolute monarchical structure, the relationship between the individual and the divine deepened. Pious individuals began to express absolute faith and reliance on divine intervention, often abstaining from human initiative in favor of seeking the gods' help. This period saw the emergence of profound expressions of faith through various literary forms, such as penitential psalms, laments, and prayers. These texts often documented the suffering of individuals who felt abandoned by their gods and sought restoration through praise and divine mercy, reflecting a heightened sense of personal guilt and a desire for salvation.123