Sepher Shimmush Tehillim recommends that this Psalm written on parchment along with Psalm 67 will give protection against the persecution of evil spirits and vindictive persons when worn.ccclviii
PSALM 101
Domine exaudi orationem meam: Ja
Read this Psalm before leaving the house; you will find only joy and happiness.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse two, “Hear, O Lord, my prayer”. As mentioned for Psalm 59, Ja may be a contraction of Yah.
This Psalm used with the divine name Yah (IH, ‘God’) is said by Sepher Shimmush Tehillim to be good for helping barren women conceive.ccclix
This is the fifth of the seven Penitential Psalms.
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.ccclx
In the Goetia, the fifty-fifth Shemhamphorash angel, Mebahiah, is associated with verse thirteen of this Psalm, “But thou, O Lord, endurest for ever: and thy memorial to all generations”.ccclxi
PSALM 102
Benedic anima mea Domino; Ha
If someone languishes in sickness, read this Psalm seven times over common oil and rub the sick man with it and he will be healed.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is part of verse one, “Bless the Lord, O my soul”. Ha occurs in conjurations in the Heptameron.
This Psalm used with the divine name Aha (AH) is said by Sepher Shimmush Tehillim to be good for helping barren women conceive.ccclxii
In the Goetia the fifty-fourth Shemhamphorash angel Nithael, is associated with verse nineteen of this Psalm, “The Lord hath prepared his throne in heaven: and his kingdom shall rule over all”.ccclxiii
In A Treatise of Mixed Cabalah, verses seven and eight, “He hath made his ways known to Moses: his wills to the children of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful: longsuffering and plenteous in mercy”, are given for receiving God’s wisdom.ccclxiv
PSALM 103
Benedic anima mea Domino
Write this Psalm on a Friday at dawn with the blood of a bat or that of a black hen onto the skin of a nanny-goat along with your name and that of the woman, whom you desire, along with the name of her father and her mother and with these characters; it should all be written with a golden ink-pen; then take a new cooking pot, into which you place the skin, which has the names and the characters written on it; cover it with the type of earth, from which these sorts of pots or earthenware bowls are made; place them in the fire and while the skin burns, recite this Psalm seven times from the Easterly side on your knees. It is better to have bat’s blood.
Otherwise, if you want to enflame the heart of any person, write this Psalm and the following characters with her [213] name and the name of her mother with a bronze or iron ink-pen and perfumed with mastic, galbanum and with aloe wood and place the parchment skin in a small earthenware vessel, sealed well with wax and place it in the fire and for the time being, just read the Psalm seven times over the fire and you will see some wonders.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is part of verse one, as with the previous Psalm, “Bless the Lord, O my soul”.
A similar use is found in Sepher Razial, where a spell for love and friendships is performed using a copper or bronze pen and ink made from lilies and crocuses. The Psalm was written out in full along with a set of characters in Angelic Script, which are however different to those given in this MS.ccclxv
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim declares that praying this Psalm frequently will destroy the Mazik (Jewish name for the Devil, referring here to the tendency to sin).ccclxvi
In the Goetia the fifty-first Shemhamphorash angel, Hachashiah, is associated with verse thirty-one of this Psalm, “May the glory of the Lord endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works”.ccclxvii
In Munich CLM 849, verse nine is used as part of a conjuration of the archangel Gabriel,ccclxviii so it is interesting to see that this Psalm is also the second of two used in a technique of seeking answers from the appropriate planetary archangel of the day.ccclxix
PSALM 104
Confitemini Domino & invocate, Vah.
If anyone is held in prison too long, write this Psalm and attach it to his arm and let him read this Psalm during the day and he will be soon delivered.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is part of verse one, “Give glory to the Lord, and call upon his name”. Vah may be a corruption of Vau, the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet and third in the Tetragrammaton (IHVH).
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim suggests praying the Psalm with the divine name Yah (IH, ‘God’) to cure the three day fever.ccclxx
Verses 32-3, “He gave them hail for rain, a burning fire in the land. And he destroyed their vineyards and their fig trees:” are used around the edge of a Martial Pentacle for creating hail and tempest (see Mars 7, Appendix 4).
PSALM 105
Confitemini Domino quoniam bonus. Ja
If you wish to sink a sailing ship, read this Psalm seven times over salt and throw it onto the boat, where the sails have been spread and it will be sunk.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is part of verse one, “Give glory to the Lord, for he is good”. As mentioned for Psalm 59, Ja may be a contraction of Yah.
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim suggests praying the Psalm with the divine name Yah (IH, ‘God’) to cure the four day fever.ccclxxi
The water connection with this Psalm is seen elsewhere, as in the Key of Solomon, where this is one of the Psalms spoken during bathing for purification.ccclxxii
In the Goetia, the sixty-eighth Shemhamphorash angel, Chabuiah, is associated with verse one of this Psalm, “Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever”.ccclxxiii
A very different use is seen in A Treatise of Mixed Cabalah, where verse four, “Remember us, O Lord, in the favour of thy people: visit us with thy salvation”, is given against malaria.ccclxxiv
PSALM 106
Confitemini Domino quoniam bonus. Vau
If your enemy is in prison and you would wish him to be there for a long time, go to the prison and read this Psalm in front of him and he will not get out of there for a long time.
[214]
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse one, and again repeats the preceding Psalm words, “Give glory to the Lord, for he is good”. Vau is the sixth Hebrew letter, associated with the Son as the third part of Tetragrammaton.
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim suggests praying the Psalm with the divine name Yah (IH, ‘God’) to cure the daily fever.ccclxxv
Verse 16, “Because he hath broken gates of brass, and burst the iron bars”, is written around the edge of a Lunar Pentacle which is for summoning Lunar spirits, and opening doors (see Moon 1, Appendix 4).
A similar theme is seen in the Abramelin, where prayers based on verses of this Psalm are used to escape if locked between iron doors by an enemy. The person is advised to fall to their knees and call fervently to Adonai, then go to the gateway and say the prayer (based on verse fifteen) seven times in different ways, “Adonai we want to thank you for the grace and wonders that you show to humankind”. Next write or scratch the words “Remember David and his promise” below the door, or with spit and the right index finger. Under this write “Yah” and “He breaks armoured doors and removes rivets from iron” (based on verse sixteen), and then strike the door seven times. As the door opens, before leaving say a prayer based on verse one, “We who are released by Adonai, and those who have been saved from their need should say, ‘Praise Adonai because he is merciful and his grace lasts eternity.’”ccclxxvi
PSALM 107
Paratum cor meum Deus, paratum cor meum:
If you wish to approach a Prince or a King, read this Psalm seven times before enter
ing and you will have naught to fear.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse two, “My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready”.
According to Sepher Shimmush Tehillim, this Psalm written upon clean parchment with the divine name Vi (VI, two of the letters from Jahveh, the Tetragrammaton) and hidden behind the door of the house will bless all comings and goings and ensure business transactions will be successful.ccclxxvii
PSALM 108
Deus laudem meam ne tacueris
Write this Psalm until Et qui loquuntur mala adversus animam meam and wash it with water, in which women have bathed on a Saturday and sprinkle the water in the house of your enemy. The memory of him will be erased from the surface of the Earth.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first part of verse two, “O God, be not thou silent in thy praise”.
There is an early precedent for such a use of this Psalm, in an early Syriac Psalter which advocated putting mustard seed and water in a new pot, reading the Psalm over it for three days and then pouring it on the enemy’s doorstep to kill him.ccclxxviii This is clearly the basis of the use in Sepher Shimmush Tehillim, and probably the derivative version in Le Livre d’Or.
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim recommends this Psalm to vanquish a mighty and oppressive enemy. A new jug is filled with new sparkling wine and some mustard added to it. The Psalm is repeated over it for three days successively, while thinking on the divine name El (AL, ‘God’). The mixture is then poured before the door of the enemy’s house, making sure not to spill any on oneself.ccclxxix
This use is continued in the Key of Solomon usage of this Psalm. Verse 18, “And he loved cursing, and it shall come unto him: and he would not have blessing, and it shall be far from him. And he put on cursing, like a garment: and it went in like water into his entrails, and like oil in his bones” is used around the edge of a Saturnian Pentacle which is used for bringing destruction or ruin, or alternatively news of a particular event or person (see Saturn 4, Appendix 4).
Verse 6, “Set thou the sinner over him: and may the devil stand at his right hand” is used on a Saturnian Pentacle for obsessing a person with madness and demons (see Saturn 6, Appendix 4). A later version of the same Saturnian Pentacle is seen in other manuscripts (see Saturn 5, Appendix 5).
In the Goetia, the seventy-first Shemhamphorash angel, Hayiel, is attributed to this Psalm, “I will give great thanks to the Lord with my mouth: and in the midst of many I will praise him”.ccclxxx
PSALM 109
Dixit Dominus Domino meo:
Write the Psalm until ex utero ante luciferum genui te and attach it to the right thigh of a pregnant woman and she will give birth immediately.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the opening of verse one, “The Lord said to my Lord”.
This Psalm in combination with the divine name Yah (IH, ‘God’) is given by Sepher Shimmush Tehillim to compel an enemy or an adversary to grovel, ask for forgiveness and make peace.ccclxxxi
Verse 5, “The Lord at thy right hand hath broken kings in the day of his wrath” is written around the edge of a Martial Pentacle used for gaining victory in war (see Mars 4, Appendix 4). A derivative Martial Pentacle for military expeditions and against bad encounters is seen in other manuscripts (see Mars 4, Appendix 5).
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.ccclxxxii
PSALM 110
Confitebor tibi Domine in toto corde meo:
Read this Psalm where you wish to build and the place will be blessed.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse one, “I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart”.
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim gives this Psalm in order to acquire many friends.ccclxxxiii
PSALM 111
Beatus vir qui timet Dominum:
Take some powdered swallow and for three days, [215] read this Psalm over it until Donec despiciat inimicos suos and scatter it in the house of your enemy and he and all that is of him will perish.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse one, “Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord”.
The opposite use is seen in Abramelin, with a prayer based on the first three verses being scratched onto a clean seven-sided building block that has never been wet with a new gold or silver stylus as part of a rite to keep a house safely protected from misfortune. The prayer is, “Blessed be the one who fears God and finds pleasing his commandments. He will have surplus and abundance and his righteousness will be carried forever in his seed.” Afterwards the stone is fumigated seven times and buried one ell under the house. At the next three new moons incense is burned where the stone is buried.ccclxxxiv
This Psalm is used to increase might and power according to Sepher Shimmush Tehillim.ccclxxxv
Mathers wrote that Verse 3, “Glory and wealth shall be in his house: and his justice remaineth for ever and ever”, was implied in the letters around the Hexagram in a Jupiterian Pentacle for acquiring glory, riches and tranquillity of mind, and for discovering treasure and chasing away the guardian spirits (see Jupiter 2, Appendix 4).ccclxxxvi This verse is also found around the edge of another Jupiterian Pentacle which is for acquiring riches and honour (see Jupiter 4, Appendix 4) and is also seen on a similar Solar Pentacle (see Sun 1, Appendix 5).
PSALM 112
Laudate pueri Dominum
Read this Psalm over holy water and sprinkle your house with it seven times; all that you will receive will be profitable:
It is also very good written down and placed in a stable for the protection of sheep, cattle and goats.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse one, “Praise the Lord, ye children”.
Sepher Shimmush Tehillim recommends this Psalm to check growing heresy and infidelity.ccclxxxvii
Verses 7-8, “Raising up the needy from the earth, and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill: That he may place him with princes, with the princes of his people” are written around the edge of a Jupiterian Pentacle which is used for protection from poverty, as well as discovering treasure and driving away guardian treasure spirits (see Jupiter 7, Appendix 4). A derivative Solar Pentacle for honour and riches uses the same verses (see Sun 2, Appendix 5).
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.ccclxxxviii
In the Goetia, two of the Shemhamphorash angels are associated with verses of this Psalm. These are the fifty-ninth angel Harachel, with verse three “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise”;ccclxxxix and the sixty-first angel Umabel, with verse two “Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and forever”.cccxc
Verses seven and eight, “Raising up the needy from the earth, and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill: That he may place him with princes, with the princes of his people”, are given in A Treatise of Mixed Cabalah for rising up out of poverty and being raised up in honour and riches.cccxci
A charm for fertility is given in the Abramelin, where this Psalm is read seven times over a glass of milk which has had a little fine incense thrown over it. The milk is given to the women before breakfast every day for a week. On the first day a tablet of gold, silver or pure beeswax is hung on her, which has been fumigated and with a verse based on verse two written on it, “Praised is the name of Adonai, from now to eternity” and with a prayer adapted from verse nine on the reverse, “He who lets the unfertile live in the house and become the one who gives joy to children – hallelujah.”cccxcii
PSALM 113
In exit
u Israël de Ægypto: Ha.
Read this Psalm over holy water and spill it into fishermen's boats, skiffs or sailing ships and they will not be able to catch anything in their nets.
COMMENTARY:
The Latin in the title is the first half of verse one, “When Israel went out of Egypt”. Ha occurs in conjurations in the Heptameron.
A formula based on verses twelve to fifteen is used in an eighth century Christian text (Berlin MS 8503), Abdallah’s curses to weaken Mouflehalpahapani, likening the victim to an idol and describing his condition, “has hands but he cannot touch; he has feet but he cannot walk; he has eyes but he cannot see; he has ears but he cannot hear; he has a nose but he cannot smell; he has a mouth but he cannot speak a word through his throat; he has a heart but he does not understand”.cccxciii
According to Sepher Shimmush Tehillim, if this Psalm is written on parchment with the divine name Aha (AH) and carried on the person it will bring success in business.cccxciv
In the Goetia, the fifty-seventh Shemhamphorash angel, Nemmamiah, is associated with verse nineteen of this Psalm, “They that fear the Lord hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector”.cccxcv
The Book of Gold (Le Livre d’Or) - 17th Century Book of Spells, Charms & Magic using the Biblical Psalms of David Page 10