The Book of Gold (Le Livre d’Or) - 17th Century Book of Spells, Charms & Magic using the Biblical Psalms of David
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Verse two of this Psalm, “In thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded: deliver me in thy justice”, is given for writing on a chimney with fired charcoal and the words ‘Tetragrammaton, consummatum est.’cxxii (John 19:30) for extinguishing fire in the Key of Solomon.cxxiii
This is the third Psalm in the sequence of seven (3, 8, 30, 41, 59, 50, 129) for use in the preparation of the needle, burin and other iron instruments in the Key of Solomon.cxxiv
In the Goetia, the twenty-first Shemhamphorash angel, Nelakael, is associated with verse fifteen of this Psalm, “But I have put my trust in thee, O Lord: I said: Thou art my God”.cxxv
PSALM 31
Beati quorum remissæ sunt iniquitates:
If someone is tempted by the spirit of fornication, let him read this Psalm over holy water at the Epiphany of the Lord 7 times, let him wash himself with it and let him write these characters, perfume them with mastic and let him tie them to his arm and his desires will be extinguished.
The Moon as above.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is part of verse one, “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven”.
This Psalm is one of the seven Penitential Psalms.
This Psalm should be recited daily to receive grace, love and mercy according to Sepher Shimmush Tehillim.cxxvi
Verse nine, “Do not become like the horse and the mule, who have no understanding. With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws, who come not near unto thee”, is given to prevent being bitten by any dog or serpent in A Treatise of Mixed Cabalah.cxxvii
PSALM 32
Exultate Justi in Domino: Adonay.
Against a woman's sterility; write this Psalm along with the characters and perfume them with mastic and incense and attach them to the right arm of the woman and when she lies with her husband, she will conceive.
The Moon in or in hour of .
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is part of verse one, “Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just”. Adonay (ADNI), meaning ‘Lord’ is the divine name substituted for Tetragrammaton (IHVH) in Judaism, which has become one of the main divine names in the grimoires and the Qabalah.
Once again the derivation from Sepher Shimmush Tehillim is clear, as that text recommends reciting this Psalm with the divine name Jahveh (IHVH, the Tetragrammaton) over pure olive oil and anointing a woman with it if she suffers with stillborn children. It is also declared to be good during times of famine.cxxviii
This Psalm is the fifth in the sequence of eight Psalms (8, 21, 27, 29, 32, 51, 72, 134) to be recited during the consecration of the Pentacles in the Key of Solomon. The Pentacle is held over the incense towards the rising sun and the Psalms recited with devotion.cxxix
In the Goetia, three of the Shemhamphorash angels are associated with verses of this Psalm. These are the tenth angel, Aladiah with verse twenty-two, “Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in thee”;cxxx the thirty-second, angel Vashariah with verse four, “For the word of the Lord is right, and all his works are done with faithfulness”;cxxxi and the sixty-fourth angel, Mechiel, with verse eighteen, “Behold the eyes of the Lord are on them that fear him: and on them that hope in his mercy”.cxxxii
PSALM 33
Benedicam Dominum in omni tempore.
If someone has toothache or has a fractured bone, let him take some date stonescxxxiii to a crossroad and let him read out the above Psalm 7 times until Unum ex his non conteretur and let him perfume his face with smoke and he will be healed.
The Moon and hour as above.
[194]
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse two, “I will bless the Lord at all times”.
The implication is that the date stones are burned to create the smoke for perfuming the face.
The same purpose of healing toothache or bone fracture is seen in A Treatise of Mixed Cabalah, with verses thirteen and twenty-one, “Who is the man that desireth life: who loveth to see good days? The Lord keepeth all their bones, not one of them shall be broken”, given for recitation.cxxxiv
The third century CE Christian historian Sextus Julius Africanus prescribed writing the first half of Verse 9, “O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet” on an apple and thrown into a wine cask to stop it going sour.cxxxv
In the eleventh century Hekhalot text Tefillat Hamnuna Sava (The Prayer by Hamnuna the Elder), this Psalm is repeated thrice by the mystic in his preparation, as part of the instructions given by the archangel Sagnasgiel (Metatron). This is followed by a triple recitation of the Ashre prayer, which is centred on Psalm 144.cxxxvi
In Sepher Shimmush Tehillim this Psalm is recommended to be recited with the divine name Pele (PLA, ‘Wonderful’) before appearing in front of a prince or person in high authority to be well received.cxxxvii
In the Goetia, the fifth Shemhamphorash angel Mahasiah is associated with verse five of this Psalm, “I sought the Lord, and he heard me; and he delivered me from all my troubles”.cxxxviii
PSALM 34
Judica Domine nocentes me.
If you fall into need, recite this Psalm 7 times and you will come out of it and if you wish to have access to a Prince or to your enemies, write this Psalm and attach it to your arm and God will deliver you. The Moon and hour as before.
ORATION
Oh God Almighty and Saviour of our fleeting infatuations, guard us from them through your Holy Spirit and protect us with Thy invisible shield, so that the aid that Thou grantest us in our need and necessity will make us worthy to enjoy the same joy and the same satisfaction as those whom Thou blessest in Heaven through our Lord Jesus Christ. So Mote it be.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is part of verse one, “Judge thou, O Lord, them that wrong me”.
There is a degree of similarity here with Sepher Shimmush Tehillim, which recommends praying this Psalm with the divine name Yah (IH, ‘God’) early in the morning for three successive days to win lawsuits instigated by unlawful, unrighteous, revengeful or quarrelsome people.cxxxix
In the Goetia, the eighteenth Shemhamphorash angel Kaliel, is associated with verse twenty-four of this Psalm, “Judge me, O Lord my God according to thy justice, and let them not rejoice over me”.cxl
Verses five and six, “Let them become as dust before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord straighten them. Let their way become dark and slippery; and let the angel of the Lord pursue them”, are given for protection from persecution by powerful men and tyrants in A Treatise of Mixed Cabalah.cxli
PSALM 35
Dixit injustus ut delinquatim semet ipso: Ja
If a woman is pregnant, write this Psalm and fix it onto the hood of the robe that she is wearing or tie it to the right arm under her robe and her fruit will be preserved securely until its birth.
The Moon as above.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse two, “The unjust hath said within himself, that he would sin”. Ja occurs in the Heptameron as a divine name, and may be a contraction of Yah.
A similar use is seen in A Treatise of Mixed Cabalah where a version of verse eight with verse ten, “O how hast thou multiplied thy mercy, O God! But the children of men shall put their trust under the covert of thy wings. For with thee is the fountain of life; and in thy light we shall see light”, is given for making a woman give birth without pain.cxlii
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim recommends this Psalm for use against all evil and slanderous libels. The Psalm is recited with the divine name Amet (AMTh, ‘Truth’).cxliii
PSALM 36
Noli Æmulari in malignantibus: Eh
Write this Psalm and bury it in front of the door of your enemy. His house will be destroyed, his children will die and [195] all that he possesses will perish.
The Moon as above.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is part of verse one, “Be not emulous of evildoers”. Eh could be a variant of Ah, t
he first half of the divine name Eheieh (‘I am’).
A drunkenness cure is given in Sepher Shimmush Tehillim for those who have drunk too much wine, lost their reason and may be fearful for their safety. Water is poured into a pitcher and the Psalm recited over it, and the head and face bathed in the water, with some of it being drunk.cxliv
Verse 15, “Let their sword enter into their own hearts, and let their bow be broken” is used in a Martial Pentacle which is used for protection when fighting, with the weapons of enemies being turned against them (see Mars 6, Appendix 4). There are also two derivative Martial Pentacles from this, for being invulnerable and charming weapons, and to encourage civil wars in foreign countries (see Mars 5 & Mars 8, Appendix 5).
In the Goetia, the sixty-seventh Shemhamphorash angel, Eiael, is associated with verse four of this Psalm, “Delight in the Lord, and he will give thee the requests of thy heart”.cxlv
In A Treatise of Mixed Cabalah, verses thirty-nine and forty, “And the Lord will help them and deliver them: and he will rescue them from the wicked, and save them, because they have hoped in him”, is given to confound an armed enemy so he will not harm you.cxlvi
PSALM 37
Domine ne in furore tuo arguas me, Eye.
If someone has pain in his eyes, let him read out this Psalm over holy water at Christmas, let him wash his eyes with it and let him write these characters also and let him perfume them with mastic and with incense and let him hang them from his neck.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse two, “Rebuke me not, O Lord, in thy indignation”. Eye is a name found in conjurations in various grimoires including the Heptameron, Key of Solomon and Goetia.
This is the third of the seven Penitential Psalms.
This Psalm is recommended by Sepher Shimmush Tehillim for those fearing punishment from the king and officers of the law due to slander. The Psalm should be recited at daybreak in a field with the divine name Aha (AH) seven times, and the person should fast the entire day.cxlvii
A similar use against blindness is seen in A Treatise of Mixed Cabalah, with recitation of verse eleven, “My heart is troubled, my strength hath left me, and the light of my eyes itself is not with me”.cxlviii The same text also gives verses four and five, “here is no health in my flesh, because of thy wrath: there is no peace for my bones, because of my sins. For my iniquities are gone over my head: and as a heavy burden are become heavy upon me”, as a charm against muteness.cxlix
In the Goetia, the sixty-sixth Shemhamphorash angel, Manaqel, is associated with verse twenty-two, “Forsake me not, O Lord my God: do not thou depart from me”.cl
PSALM 38
Dixi custodiam vias meas. Day
If you are tormented by bad dreams, write this Psalm on the right side of your face but do not speak at all and you will have no more bad dreams.
The Moon as above this one.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the beginning of verse two, “I said: I will take heed to my ways”.
This Psalm is recommended by Sepher Shimmush Tehillim for those fearing punishment from the king and officers of the law due to slander. The Psalm should be recited at daybreak in a field with the divine name He (HI) seven times, and the person should fast the entire day.cli
PSALM 39
Expectans expectavi Dominum
If a woman cannot hold in her fruit,clii write this Psalm with the characters and tie them to her right arm and she will hold on to it.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse two, “With expectation I have waited for the Lord”.
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim states that when this Psalm is prayed daily with the divine name Yah (IH, ‘God’) it frees people from evil spirits.cliii
Verse 14, “Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me, look down, O Lord, to help me” is written around the edge of a Lunar Pentacle which is used for protection against attacks at night and all kinds of danger associated with water (see Moon 3, Appendix 4).
In the Goetia, the nineteenth Shemhamphorash angel, Leuviah, is associated with verse two of this Psalm, “With expectation I have waited for the Lord, and he was attentive to me”.cliv
PSALM 40
Beatus qui intelligit super egenum & pauperem:
If you have a woman or a mistress whom you hate or you [196] mistrust, read this Psalm 7 times over rose oil, anoint your face with it and you will overcome her and write these characters on the parchment skin of a young billy-goat, perfume them with some of the oil, with saffron and with rose water; write the name of the woman on it also and take some of her hair and anoint them with it and bury it all in front of her door.
The Moon in or . Hour of .
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse two, “Blessed is he that understandeth concerning the needy and the poor”.
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim advises praying Psalms 40 to 42 three times a day for three successive days for protection against ruined credit and mistrust of others causing reduction in earnings or loss of office caused by enemies.clv
In A Treatise of Mixed Cabalah, verse three, “The Lord preserve him and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth: and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies”, is described as being used to be raised up with dignity by everyone. clvi
The same work gives verses four and five, “The Lord help him on his bed of sorrow: thou hast turned all his couch in his sickness. I said: O Lord, be thou merciful to me: heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee”, for use against fever.clvii
PSALM 41
Quem admodum desiderat cervus ad fontes aquarum
Recite this Psalm three times at the hour of Vespersclviii and your enemies will be dispersed and they will have no power over you.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse two, “As the hart panteth after the fountains of water”.
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim advises praying Psalms 40 to 42 three times a day for three successive days for protection against ruined credit and mistrust of others causing reduction in earnings or loss of office caused by enemies.clix
This is the fourth Psalm in the sequence of seven (3, 8, 30, 41, 59, 50, 129) for use in the preparation of the needle, burin and other iron instruments in the Key of Solomon.clx
An adapted version of verse two is used in Munich CLM 849 in an experiment to gain the passionate love of a woman, “as the hart longs for the fountain of water, so you, N., should long for my love”.clxi Recited seven times with its associated names it was said to give dream replies to questions.clxii
PSALM 42
Judica me Deus & discerne causam meam de gente. Jahu
If someone wishes to have access to a King or to a Prince, let him write this Psalm and attach it to his right arm and he will be honourably received. The Moon as above.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is part of verse one, “Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy”. Jahu is a divine name made of the first three letters of Tetragrammaton, Yod Heh Vav (IHV).
The fourteenth century De Sigillis of pseudo-Arnaldus used this Psalm, to be recited whilst preparing the talisman of Leo for protection of the kidneys, and stomach, and from abscesses and fevers.clxiii
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim advises praying Psalms 40 to 42 three times a day for three successive days for protection against ruined credit and mistrust of others causing reduction in earnings or loss of office caused by enemies.clxiv
The same text also advises using this Psalm if you wish to receive information through dreaming. The person should fast for a day and then pray this Psalm seven times with the divine name Tzava (TzBA, ‘Hosts’, as in Lord of Hosts) naming your wishes before retiring to bed.clxv
In Munich CLM 849 this Psalm is one of two used (with Psalm 50) for the purpose of obtaining a flying throne.clxvi
PSALM 43
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Deus auribus nostris audivimus
Write this Psalm with bird's blood and bury it in front of the door of your enemy and he will be destroyed. The Moon as above.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the beginning of verse two, “We have heard, O God, with our ears”.
According to Sepher Shimmush Tehillim this Psalm should be prayed frequently to be safe from enemies.clxvii From here the use has become more proactive with action to destroy the enemy.
PSALM 44
Eructavit cor meum verbum bonum
Write this Psalm and the name of the one you desire, at the waxing of the [197] Moon until Quoniam ipse est Dominus Deus tuus & adoreabunt eum and perfume them with myrrh, aromatic gum and cinnamon and bury it in front of her door and you will be loved by her; it is also good against those who seek to ensnare you under the pretext of offering favours.
The moon in or . Hour of .
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the beginning of verse one, “My heart hath uttered a good word”.
Again the use seems to have been derived and adapted from Sepher Shimmush Tehillim, which advises husbands to recite this Psalm over olive oil and anoint their body to make a scolding wife more lovable and friendly in future, with the divine name Adoya (ADIH, being a composite of Adonai and Jahveh).clxviii