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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PSALM 45
Deus noster refugium & virtus: Arie
If you need to enter into armed combat, read this Psalm until et scuta cumburet in igni seven times and no one will withstand against you.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the beginning of verse two, “Our God is our refuge and strength”.
For this Psalm, Sepher Shimmush Tehillim declares that when a husband has innocently angered his wife, he should pray the Psalm over olive oil and anoint his wife with it, whilst thinking of the divine name Adoya (ADIH).clxix
Psalm is one of those in the sequence of nineteen (130, 14, 101, 8, 83, 67, 71, 132, 112, 125, 45, 46, 21, 50, 129, 138, 48, 109, 52) recited for conjuration of the wax used in making the Pentacles in the Key of Solomon.clxx
PSALM 46
Omnes gentes plaudite manibus; Sale
If you wish to be lucky in all manner of affairs, you write the Psalm and carry it on you and read it 7 times a day and that, which you desire will come to you in all goodness and your enemies will not be able to harm you. The Moon as above.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse two, “O clap your hands, all ye nations”.
This use, ‘To be lucky in all things’, is also seen in The Keys of Rabbi Solomon, one of the three main families of Key of Solomon manuscripts. The person is instructed to say the Psalm before sunrise and before eating.clxxi
As with many of the other uses in Le Livre d’Or, the precedent from Sepher Shimmush Tehillim suggests its origins. According to the latter work, this Psalm should be prayed seven times daily to be loved and well-received by all your fellow men.clxxii
Psalm 46 is the fourth of the sequence of five Psalms (2, 53, 50, 46, 67) given in the Key of Solomon to be recited before or during the creation of the magic circle.clxxiii
This Psalm is one of those in the sequence of nineteen (130, 14, 101, 8, 83, 67, 71, 132, 112, 125, 45, 46, 21, 50, 129, 138, 48, 109, 52) recited for conjuration of the wax used in making the Pentacles in the Key of Solomon.clxxiv
Verse four, “He hath subdued the people under us; and the nations under our feet” is used as part of a coercive binding spell to gain favour with a dignitary in Munich CLM 849.clxxv
In A Treatise of Mixed Cabalah, verses three and four, “For the Lord is high, terrible: a great king over all the earth. He hath subdued the people under us; and the nations under our feet”, are given for being pleasing to all men and to obtain their favour. clxxvi
In the same work, verses three and five, “For the Lord is high, terrible: a great king over all the earth. He hath chosen for us his inheritance the beauty of Jacob which he hath loved”, is given to be lucky in all your affairs.clxxvii
PSALM 47
Magnus Dominus & landabilis nimis civitate dei: Saday
If there has been a theft in your house, write this Psalm with its characters and place it above your head in the bed and you will see the thief.
the Moon in or . Hour of
[198]
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is most of verse two, “Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised in the city of our God”. Saday is a spelling of the divine name Shaddai (ShDI, ‘Almighty’, a divine name of the Sephira of Yesod on the Qabalistic Tree of Life).
In the fourth century text Corpus Hippiatricorum Graecorum (10.3.5), advice is given to write verses two to seven on papyrus and place it on a mare having trouble giving birth as a remedy.clxxviii
According to Sepher Shimmush Tehillim this Psalm prayed often whilst thinking of the divine name Zach (ZCh, ‘Pure, Clear & Transparent’) will seize spiteful and envious enemies with fear, terror and anxiety so they bother you no more.clxxix
This Psalm is spoken after fumigating oneself with frankincense and lignum aloes before entering the circle in De Nigromancia of Roger Bacon.clxxx
A spell in order to find lost objects which includes this Psalm is found in A Collection of Magical Secrets.clxxxi
PSALM 48
Audite hæc omnes gentes:
If you love someone and you wish to be honoured by her, write this Psalm until Verumtamen Deus remediet animam meam de manu inferi and carry it on you. You will be loved and cherished.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the beginning of verse two, “Hear these things, all ye nations”.
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim recommends this Psalm for a family member sick with an incurable fever. With a new pen and ink write out the Psalm with the first six verses of Psalm 50, together with the appropriate divine name, Shaddai (ShDI, ‘Almighty’) on pure parchment, and hang it around the patient's neck with a silken string.clxxxii
This Psalm is one of those in the sequence of nineteen (130, 14, 101, 8, 83, 67, 71, 132, 112, 125, 45, 46, 21, 50, 129, 138, 48, 109, 52) recited for conjuration of the wax used in making the Pentacles in the Key of Solomon.clxxxiii
This Psalm is the first of three written with some characters on a piece of virgin parchment and placed under the pillow for a dream vision of a thief and where he placed stolen goods.clxxxiv
PSALM 49
Deus Deorum Dominus Locutus est: H Hay.
If you wish to kill a sheep and distribute it amongst the poor, read this Psalm seven times until Holocausta autem tua in conspectu meo sunt semper. God will love you.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is part of verse one, “The God of gods, the Lord hath spoken”.
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim recommends this Psalm as part of the cure for a family member sick with an incurable fever. With a new pen and ink write out Psalm 49 with the first six verses of this Psalm, together with the appropriate divine name, Shaddai (ShDI, ‘Almighty’) on pure parchment, and hang it around the patient's neck with a silken string. clxxxv The same text recommends wearing this Psalm in a similar manner to protect its wearer from all dangers and especially robbers, using instead the divine name Chi (ChI, ‘Living’). clxxxvi
In the Key of Solomon this Psalm is used as part of the process of bibliomancy with the bible and a key called the Operation of the Divinatory Key. The Psalm is recited to the end of verse 21, and the resultant place marked by the key at this moment is the answer to the question posed by the querent.clxxxvii
PSALM 50
Miserere mei Deus: Ram.
Write this Psalm on a person who suffers from bleeding, either born with itclxxxviii or otherwise, until Deus salutis meæ
The Moon as above.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the opening words of verse three, “Have mercy on me, O God”.
This is the fourth of the seven Penitential Psalms.
It is the first of the five Psalms in the sequence for preparing the holy drink against elf influence and the devil’s temptations in the Lacnunga manuscript (C10th-11th CE).clxxxix
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim recommends this Psalm for those troubled by a heavy conscience on account of a grievous sin. The Psalm is recited three times with an appropriate prayer whilst contemplating the word Dam (DM, ‘Blood’), mentioning the evil deed. This is performed three times a day over poppy oil, which is used to anoint the body and remove the burden.cxc
Psalm 50 is the third of the sequence of five Psalms (2, 53, 50, 46, 67) given in the Key of Solomon to be recited before or during the creation of the magic circle.cxci
Verse nine, “Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow” is used in the Key of Solomon for the exorcism of water.cxcii This verse is also used in the preparation for the creation of a cloak of invisibility in Munich CLM 849.cxciii
This Psalm up to verse 8 is also given as an alternative to be used for the Operation of the Divinatory Key in the Key of Solomon.cxciv
This Psalm is one of those in the sequence of nineteen (130, 14, 101, 8, 83, 67, 71, 132, 112, 125, 45, 46, 21, 50, 129, 138, 48, 109, 52) recited for conjuration of the wax used in maki
ng the Pentacles in the Key of Solomon.cxcv
This is the sixth 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.cxcvi
In Munich CLM 849 this Psalm is one of two used (with Psalm 42) for the purpose of obtaining a flying throne.cxcvii It is also spoken in full whilst gazing devotedly at a crucifix as part of the experiment to discover hidden treasure in the same text.cxcviii A further use in this text is in obtaining information from a mirror.cxcix
In A Treatise of Mixed Cabalah, a technique is given for discovering a hidden object. This is done by taking a ring without a bezel or stone, tying a thread to it and suspending it in the middle of a glass of water and reciting verse eight, “For behold thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me”.cc
Verse sixteen of this Psalm, “Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice”, is recommended in the same work against nose bleeds and haemorrhages in other parts of the body.cci
PSALM 51
Quid gloriaris in malitia. Ay.
If a pregnant woman corruptsccii her fruit, write this Psalm and attach it to her arm and she will be healed. The Moon as above
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse three, “Why dost thou glory in malice”. Ay is a name found in conjurations in Liber Juratus and the Heptameron.
This Psalm is recommended for daily morning prayer by Sepher Shimmush Tehillim for those victimised by slander.cciii
This Psalm is the sixth 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.cciv
PSALM 52
Dixit incipiens in corde suo
Take some powder in your hand and read this Psalm 7 times over it [199] with devotion and throw this dust into the face of your enemies; with the aid of God, they will flee immediately from before you.
The Moon in or in hour of the .
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is part of verse one, “The fool said in his heart”.
The roots of this use again may well be in Sepher Shimmush Tehillim, which recommends reciting this Psalm daily with the divine name Ai (AI, the first letters of Adonai and Jahveh) to quieten enemies or fill them with fear.ccv
This is the second of the sequence of three Psalms (60, 52, 56) to be spoken over the candles to purify them prior to consecration in the Key of Solomon.ccvi
This Psalm is one of those in the sequence of nineteen (130, 14, 101, 8, 83, 67, 71, 132, 112, 125, 45, 46, 21, 50, 129, 138, 48, 109, 52) recited for conjuration of the wax used in making the Pentacles in the Key of Solomon.ccvii
PSALM 53
Deus in nomine tuo salvum me fac: Va.
If someone is slandered and brought before the Prince or some other Lord, let him read this Psalm 7 times in his supplication and he will be delivered.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse three, “Save me, O God, by thy name”. Va is a name found in conjurations in the Heptameron.
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim recommends this Psalm with the divine name Yah (IH) to avenge or protect oneself, suggesting the likely source of Le Livre d’Or’s attribution.ccviii
It is the second of the five Psalms in the sequence for preparing the holy drink against elf influence and the devil’s temptations in the Lacnunga manuscript (C10th-11th CE).ccix
This Psalm is used prior to skrying in the crystal by the virgin child in the fifteenth century Sloane MS 3849.ccx
Psalm 53 is the second of the sequence of five Psalms (2, 53, 50, 46, 67) given in the Key of Solomon to be recited before or during the creation of the magic circle.ccxi It is also the last in the sequence of three Psalms (2, 66, 53) to be spoken on entering a room or outdoor space for a ceremony before taking any action.ccxii
In the Goetia, the twenty-ninth Shemhamphorash angel, Reiyel, is associated with verse of this Psalm, “For behold God is my helper: and the Lord is the protector of my soul”.ccxiii
This Psalm written by a virgin child with part of the Pater Noster and touched to a newborn child was used to make a talisman for receiving goodwill and favours.ccxiv
PSALM 54
Exaudi orationem meam & ne despexeris deprecationem.
If your enemy builds a house and you wish to prevent him from completing it, read this Psalm over the foundations; he will not be able to build it. The Moon as above.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is verse two, “Hear, O God, my prayer, and despise not my supplication”.
To return evil for evil, Sepher Shimmush Tehillim gives this Psalm with the divine name Vah (VH, the second half of Tetragrammaton).ccxv
In the Key of Solomon this Psalm is one of the three spoken to prepare a room for use, so this is an interesting similarity, as here magic is being used to prevent a place being used.ccxvi
It is also the third Psalm in the sequence of five Psalms (17, 13, 54, 80, 117) to be recited whilst bathing before conjuration in the Key of Solomon.ccxvii
PSALM 55
Miserere mei Deus quomiam conculcabit me homo:
If a woman is bleeding,ccxviii take a glass of wine and say this Psalm 7 times over it and give it to her to drink; she will be delivered. The Moon as above.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse two, “Have mercy on me, O God, for man hath trodden me under foot”.
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim advises this Psalm for those wishing to be liberated from sins of passion and lust.ccxix
A similar use is seen in A Treatise of Mixed Cabalah, where verse five, “In God I will praise my words, in God I have put my trust: I will not fear what flesh can do against me”, is given against women’s haemorrhages.ccxx
Verse eleven, “In God have I hoped, I will not fear what man can do to me”, is written around the edge of a Lunar Pentacle which is used for protection when travelling by water (see Moon 2, Appendix 4).
PSALM 56
Miserere mei Deus, miserere mei.
If you find yourself in a desert and you fear its ferocious beasts, recite this Psalm seven times and you will have naught to fear with the aid of God.
The Moon as above.
[200]
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first part of verse two, “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me”.
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim recommends using this Psalm to be fortunate in your undertakings, by reciting it daily after morning prayer in Church with the divine name Chi (ChI, ‘Living’).ccxxi
This is the last of the sequence of three Psalms (60, 52, 56) to be spoken over the candles to purify them prior to consecration in the Key of Solomon.ccxxii
PSALM 57
Si vere utique justitiam loquimini
If you wish to destroy the effects of an enchantment, recite this Psalm 7 times; no one will be able to harm you. It is also good against treacheries. The Moon as above.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse two, “If in very deed you speak justice”.
According to Sepher Shimmush Tehillim, if this Psalm is recited quickly when being attacked by a vicious dog, it will not harm you.ccxxiii
Verses eleven and twelve, “The just shall rejoice when he shall see the revenge: he shall wash his hands in the blood of the sinner. And man shall say: If indeed there be fruit to the just: there is indeed a God that judgeth them on the earth”, are given in A Treatise of Mixed Cabalah for protecting yourself from wicked judges who persecute the poor.ccxxiv
PSALM 58
Eripe me de inimicis meis Deus meus:
If someone is too tightly tied up for him to sleep with his wife, write this Psalm on a piece o
f virgin paper along with the characters and read it out 7 times over it, then attach it to the thigh of the husband and he will be delivered.
If an enchanted man wishes to have relations with some woman, let this be written with these characters and recite it over him and bind it as above and he will be delivered from the charm.
The Moon in or in hour of .
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse two, “Deliver me from my enemies, O my God”.
The implication of being ‘too tightly tied up’ would be either performance anxiety through stress, or magically induced impotence. Considering the second paragraph, it seems more likely that a magical cause is being suggested.
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim recommends the use of this Psalm to be free from all inclinations to sin or do evil. The Psalm from verse two to the end is prayed with its appropriate prayer and holy name of Paltiel (PLTIAL, ‘Strong God, my Rescuer and Saviour’) for three successive days.ccxxv