Mary Magdalene in the Psalms of the Lord Heracleides

Earlier this year I presented a Manichaean Psalm that mentioned Salome. Now I will present you a Psalm involving Mary Magdalene. This Psalm comes from the collection titled “Psalms of the Lord Hercleides”. These are dated back to around the mid 4th century. I am pulling this translation from the 1938 book “A Manichaean Psalm Book: Part II” by Charles Robert Cecil Allberry. And as I mentioned in the previous post, this is the only English translation that I am aware of, with no modern re-printing (come on academia!!). There are parts missing and will be noted as …… While the first part relates to Magdalene (and a few other bits scattered about), I decided to include the full Psalms of Heracleides as it is a very good and long read! I like how it describes the apostles and other members of the Jesus group. There is also an interesting section relating to the Harrowing of Hades. Such a fascinating piece of work!

Mariam, Mariam, know me: do not touch me.

Stem the tears of thy eyes and know me that I am thy master.  Only touch me not, for I have not yet seen the face of my Father.

Thy God was not stolen away, according to the thoughts of thy littleness: thy God did not die, rather he, mastered death.

I am not the gardener: I have given, I have received the ....... I appeared not to thee, until I saw thy tears and thy grief .... for me.

Cast this sadness away from thee and do this service: be a messenger for me to these wandering orphans.

Make haste rejoicing, and go unto the Eleven.  Thou shalt find them gathered together on the bank of the Jordan.

The traitor persuaded them to be fishermen as they were at first and to lay down their nets with which they caught men unto life.

Say to them, 'Arise, let us go, it is your brother that calls you'.  If they scorn my brotherhood, say to them, 'It is your master'.

If they disregard my mastership, say to them, 'It is your Lord'.  Use all skill and advice until thou hast brought the sheep to the shepherd.

If thou seest that their wits are gone, draw Simon Peter unto thee; say to him, 'Remember what I uttered between thee and me.

'Remember what I said between thee and me in the Mount of Olives: "I have something to say, I have none to whom to say it".'

Rabbi, my master, I will serve thy commandment in the joy of my whole heart.

I will not give rest to my heart, I will not give sleep to my eyes, I will not give rest to my feet until I have brought the sheep to the fold.

Glory to Mariam, because she hearkened to her master, she served his commandment in the joy of her whole heart.

Glory and victory to the soul of the blessed Mary.


I have long been calling thee, my Saviour, until thou shouldest answer me.

Thou hast disregarded me not, or I could not have borne thy....

Thou dost bear up indeed ...... my heart has fainted for mankind.

Where is the boiling of thy mercies, that thou hast suffered me to be long in my prayer?

If my voice has reached thee, then how has thy mercy tarried?

If I have turned to thee a little, thou oughtest to turn to me much.

............  to thee: O pure one, avenge me.

I have wearied of calling thee: O doorkeeper, open the door to me.  I will not stem my tears, O powerful one, unless thou wipe away my sin.  If my offering is pure, receive it into thy ....  If they bring disaster upon me, O righteous one, set me up.

Give a commandment concerning me that none may wrong me.  Bind me to thy guard because of the thief that is in the house with me.  Let thy mercy be a spark and catch the chaff that is in me.  If I finish my course, O powerful one, crown me.

Take me up upon thy wings; O eagle, fly with me to the skies.  Set my white robe upon me: take me in as a gift to thy Father.  Glory to my Saviour, the mercy that flows forth from the Father.  Victory to the soul of the blessed Mary.


Call to the buildings, saying: Come, build quickly.

Build quickly, ye builders, for the time is ripe upon us.

Lo, we have laid out the foundation: Christ is the .....

He that has gold for the building, let him build virginity.    Call.

He that has silver for the building, let him build continence.   Call.

He that has jewels, let him build prayers and ....    Call.

Build not anything upon the building ..... burn it.    Call.

Build not stubble and grass and eat and drink in the name of the Lord.    Call.

Build not reeds upon the building and glory in the name of God.   Call.

Thou findest the reed smooth, its inside being wasted and hollow.   Call.

Do not adorn thyself outwardly and be found wasted in thy inward parts.   Call.

Build not wood upon the building and receive the seal of the cross.   Call.

Receive not the seal outwardly, while the thief seizes all the houses that are built by night, the day .... forth.

The night is the time of the body, the day is the going forth. 

In those that thou buildest by day shalt thou lodge.

If thou hast set thyself to build, let the measure come first for thee.

If thou buildest with no measure in thy hand, thy building will go up crooked.   Call.

The building is the commandment, the measure is the profession.

Be not drunk, sleep not, lest thou fall from the building.

Build thy house and give it stories, roof it and make it perfect.   Call.

The commandment is the knowledge, the roof is the love of the Father.

Glory and honour to my Saviour, the foundation ineradicable.  Peace and life be there to the soul of the blessed Mary.


Amen, the Father, Amen, the Son: let us answer to the Amen.

Amen, Amen, Amen, the holy Spirit, that makes revelation: let us answer to the Amen.

Amen, ..... thou the Father of all the Lights.   Let us.

Thou endurest, thou shalt endure also; the universe shall pass away, but thou shalt not pass away.   Let us.

Thou art, thou art, thou art: thy years shall not fail.

Holy, holy, holy to thee, O Amen, King of the Aeons.

Amen, pleasant ships, that will bring us to our harbour.

Amen, sweet dew, that gives sweetness to all fruits.

Amen, sun that goes not down, lord of all places of rising.

Amen, moon that fills the measure, yet never wanes.  Let us.

Amen, perfect day, wherein there is not night.

Amen, king that wears the crown, that endures in his kingdom.  Let us.

Amen, holy God, that is garlanded in his Aeons.

Amen, Light on high, that shines forth in his beloved ones.

Amen, strong power, that gives strength to the elements.

Amen, true Wisdom, that teaches souls.

Amen, holy Spirit, that gives life also to Spirits.

Amen, beloved Son, that gave himself to death for us.

Amen, gentle Father, that embraces us in his Love.

Amen, merciful Mother, that gives her milk to us.

The Father, the Son, the holy Spirit, -- this is the perfect Church.   Let us.

When I utter Amen the doors of the skies open.

O psalmist of the sky, Amen to whom they make music.  They that embrace..........

The dozen of Apostles were a garland to Amen.

Let us go to the Mount of Olives that I may tell thee of the glory of Amen.

The Dozen of Apostles were a garland to Amen.

Amen answered them, he told them of his wonders.

Amen, I was seized; Amen again, I was not seized.

Amen, I was judged; Amen again, I was not judged.

Amen, I was crucified; Amen again, I was not crucified.

Amen, I was pierced; Amen again, I was not pierced.

Amen, I suffered; Amen again, I did not suffer.

Amen, I am in my Father; Amen again, my Father is in me.

But thou desirest the fulfillment of Amen: I mocked the world, they could not mock me.

Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen again, the four-faced God.

Glory and honour to Amen, the Father of Greatness.

Blessing and holiness to Jesus, the son of Amen.

Victory to the holy Spirit that has taught us of Amen, and to his holy Elect.  Peace be to the soul of the blessed Mary, Theona.


There were ten virgins, watching for the Bridegroom.

There were five wise, there were five foolish.    There were.

The five foolish went to the five wise.   There were.

'Give us a little oil for our lamps, for they have gone out, until our Lord passes in.'   There were.

They said, 'No, no, no; our own does not suffice for us.'   There were.

'Go to the market-place and buy oil for your lamps.'

So they went and came, the Bridegroom passed in.

They came, they knocked; the Bridegroom did not open the door.   There were.

He said, 'Go, away with you; I do not know you.'

'You received my name, but you did not do my works.'

'Depart far from me, you workers of iniquity.'

The grey-haired old men, - the little children instruct them.

They that are six years old instruct them that are sixty years old.

A pear-stone is Jesus in the Gospel.

An unshakeable foundation is Peter the Apostle.

A mind strong in how much is Andrew the twin.

A ship ...... is John the Virgin.

A brother ..... in how much is James, his brother also, and he died beneath the storm of stone.

An enduring one is Philip, he being in the land of the Anthropophagi.   There were.

The sign of freedom from care is the old Bartholomew, for he does not take the bread of the day with him.

A sheep .... up to this day is Simon the Canaanite.

A merchant that finds gain is Thomas in the land of India.    There were.

An obedient disciple is Alphaeus, the gentle.

An accuser of God is Judas, the lover of money.

But a good end is Matthew the tax-gatherer.

The axe of the Law is Paul the Apostle.

A net-caster is Mariam, hunting for the eleven others that were wandering.   There were.

A joyous servant is Martha her sister also.

Obedient sheep are Salome and Arsenoe.

A despiser of the body is Thecla, the lover of God.

A shamer of the serpent is Maximilla the faithful.

A receiver of good news is Iphidama her sister also, imprisoned in the prisons.

A champion in the fight is Aristobula the enduring one.

A giver of Light to others is Eubula the noble woman drawing the heart of the perfect.

A ..... that loves her master is Drusiane, the lover of God, shut up for fourteen days, questioning her Apostle.

........ who was found in Mygdonia in the land of India.

A north wind blowing upon us is our Lord Mani, that we may put out with him and sail to the Land of Light.

Let us also, my brethren, put oil in our lamps until our Lord passes in.

Let us not slumber and sleep until our Lord takes us across, his garland upon his head, his palm in his hand, wearing the robe of his glory, and we go within the bride-chamber and reign with him, all of us together, and the soul of the blessed Mary. Amen.    There were.

The Son of the living God, the physician of souls, come, sing to him, the Saviour of Spirits.

The Father who is in the Son, the Son who is in the Father.   Come.

The tower of the kingdom that is over the treasure of the Father.

The straight way that leads in to life.

The perfect day of Light, that of the sun that does not set.

The holy bread of life that is come from the skies.

The sweet spring of water that leaps unto life.

The true vine, that of the living wine.

The joyous branch of the tree, that is laden with fruit.

The new plant of God, that of the fruits of life.

The joyous bridegroom of his Church.

The shepherd of the sheep that wanders in the desert of the world.

He passed the powers by taking their likeness.

He mocked the principalities by likening himself to them.

The powers and the dominions - he darkened them all.

He did these things on high, floating in the skies.

He did ..... likeness of the flesh, the vesture of .... God became man, he went about in all the world.

He received a man's likeness, a slave's vesture.

He chose his disciples, the beginning of his fold.

He traversed Judea, looking for stones daily.

He went to the shores of the sea, seeking pearls.

First he found Peter, the foundation of his Church.

He found Andrew, the first holy statue.

He found John, the flower of virginity.

James he found, the spring of the new wisdom.

He found Philip, who is great in endurance.

He found Bartholomew, the rose of Love.

He found the other Thomas, the sweet smell that went to India.

The other James he found, the true brother of the Lord.

Simon the Canaanite he found, full of zeal for life.

He found Levi, the throne of faith.

He gave the fragment to Judas, he took even the little Light.

He kept the wolf from the fold, he set the trap on him.

He chose Mariam, the Spirit of Wisdom.

He gave life to Martha, the breath of discretion.

He summoned Salome, the grace of peace.

He called Arsenoe, he set her in the garland of Truth.

He despoiled Jerusalem, he took her pearls.

He revived the dead from the death of their sins.

He opened the eyes that were closed at the time of the man born blind.

He caused the ears of the unhearing soul to hear.

He planted his shoots in the field of his Elect.

He sowed the seed in the soil of his men of knowledge.

The voice of his cry went to the world.

His sheepfold filled the corners of the world.

The kings that heard put their crowns down.

The first-born of the earth cast their garlands from them.

The rich ones of the earth became poor for his sake.

...... gold and the ..... behind them, they went their way.

..... stone, the true ..... they cast them away, they ran.

The possessors of fields and orchards left them, they wasted.

... women and the children, they ...., they went, they left them.

They that rejoice, that eat and drink, - they withered through fasting.

They that glory in their beauty gladly let it decay.

They took up the cross upon them, they went from village to village.

They went into the roads hungry, with no bread in their hands.

They walked in the heat thirsting, they took no water to drink.

No gold, no silver, no money, did they take with them on their way.

They went into villages, not knowing anybody.

They were welcomed for his sake, they were loved for his name's sake.

Some hated them and cast them out because of him.

They prayed for their enemies, they blessed them that curse them.

They were struck in the face, they turned their other cheek.

They were delivered to the courts, they laughed at the judges.

They were condemned to death, they bore it rejoicing.

They were exposed to hunger and thirst, they lived on his word.

They were stripped of their bodies, they set his light upon them.

They were made to go up on the fire, he made them cool with his dews.

They were hanged to the cross, he took them to Paradise.

Envy filled the scribes, they rose against the shepherd.

They persuaded the traitor, they gave silver for Him.

He accused him before them, they thinking that he is a man.

They judged him among them, in the midst of them all.

They delivered him to the judge, sin was not found in him.

They brought his death upon themselves and his victorious blood.

They hanged him to the cross at the sixth hour of the day.

They went that they might kill him, they made him a king.

They put a garland on his head because he humbled their kings.

They put a cloak upon him because he stripped their authorities.

They put a robe of purple upon him because he destroyed their desire.

They put a reed in his hand because he wrote of their sins.

They made him drink vinegar and myrrh for the sign of their grief.

They pierced him with the spear because he destroyed their ....

The sun withdrew his light, it wore the athalia.

He disguised himself from those murderers, he was caught up from their presence.

He fettered them of the sky by the fear of his light.

He caught them of the air by the power of his angels.

He bound them of the earth by the marvel of his cross.

He demolished their temple, he rent their veil also.

He dug up its stones, searching for its demons.

He opened the doors that were closed by his resurrection.

The doors and bars of the men of Hades he broke.

He shone forth with his Light upon the Darkness that is without light.

A new Light was seen beneath the earth.

His trumpet summoned the multitude of his armies.

He escaped from death in the midst of his host.

He saved the prisoners that were shut up in death.

Death sought in him, it found nothing belonging to it.

It found not flesh and blood, the things of which it eats.

It found not bone and sinew, which it consumes daily.

It found not its likeness in him - the fire, the lust.

A figure is what it found, like a mask.

It grieved, it wept, because of the deception that came to pass.

He left them in their shame, he went up victorious.

He broke the sepulchres, the ancient tombs.

He revived first the Righteous, he took them with him to his Father.

He sat on the right hand of his Father among the Living.

..... me in thee, my Saviour, my God.

I will preach thy words, making music in thy glory.

Have mercy on my poverty, have compassion upon my sins.

Teach me the way to life that I may come to thee rejoicing.

I will dwell in thy Aeons, thy bride-chambers of Light.

Hearken to my cry, hear my prayer.

Glory to thee, my God, and thy Father on high.

Victory and a garland be there given to the soul of Mary.


Gather and come, O sons of man, and hear the Envoy that was sent with the news of the skies.

Thou camest forth, being gathered: thou camest forth, they being gathered unto thee.  Tell us the news of the skies.

Thou camest forth, the Aeons being gathered; thou camest forth, they being gathered unto thee.  Tell the news.

Awake, ye that slumber and sleep in the .... that you may be told the news.

Lo, the news-bearer has been sent with the news of the Land of Light to tell us the news of the skies.

He was sent, he came hurrying and rejoicing to the First Man, that he might tell him the news.

He came and knocked at the gates and cried, 'Open quickly that I may tell you the news of the skies.'

'Rise up, O First Man, open thy gates that are shut that I may tell thee the news.'

'Rise up, O First man, arouse thy beloved ones, that I may tell thee the news.'

'Rise up, O First Man, sound, O trumpet of peace, that I may tell thee the news.'

'Rise up, O First Man, gather the host of the Gods, that I may tell thee the news.'

'Rise up, O First Man, spread the cry of the good news, that I may tell thee the news.'

'Rise up, O First Man, set in order the fragments of the tower that I may tell thee the news.'

'Rise up, O First Man, lead back the host to its city, that I may tell thee the news.'

'Rise up, O good shepherd, take the lamb from the mouth of the wolf, that I may tell thee the news.'

'Who art thou, for my doors are shut?  Give a sign that I may open to thee and thou tell me the news.'

'Who are thou, that I may open to thee?  For I am guarding the tower .... that thou mayest tell me the news.'

'I am the son of the son of the Father, the son of the Father has sent me to tell thee the news.'

'Open, open quickly, open the gates that are shut, that the news may be told to thee.'

As the gates were about to open, he was found inside the door, that he might tell him the news of the skies.

The First Man found him at his side, he rejoiced and said to him, 'Tell me the news.'

'What does my Father do, the Father of the Lights? ..... outside him.'   Tell me the news.

'What do the twelve Aeons do, whom I left surrounding the Father?'   Tell me the news.

'How is the Living Air, the breath of life that surrounds the Father?'   Tell me the news.

'The Great Spirit of the Land of Light, the .... of all the Aeons.'   Tell me the news.

'The Land of Light, the house of the Father, the bride-chamber of all the Aeons.'   Tell me the news.

'The walls that I left firmly established, the watch-tower men that guard them.'   Tell the news.

'What does the Mother of the Living do, whom I left, and her brethren also?'  Tell the news.

The First Man rejoices asking: he said to him, 'Tell the news.'

And the Call answered again: 'I came forth, they being gathered, I came forth, the Gods rejoicing, Lo, this is the news of the skies.'

'I came forth, they being gathered; I came forth, they being gathered unto me.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I came forth, the Father being gathered; the Aeons being gathered unto the Father.'  Lo, this is the news.

'I came forth, the Aeons being gathered, being a garland about the Father.'  Lo.

'I was sent, the Father rejoicing, he being in the bride-chamber of the Land of Light, that I might tell the news.'

'I was sent, the Aeons of the Aeons playing music to the Father of the Lights, that I might tell news.'

'I was sent, the harp-players being gathered, singing unto the Father, that I might tell the news.'

'I was sent, the air rejoicing, being gathered, surround the Father, that I might tell the news.'

'I was sent, the bride-chamber rejoicing, the Land of Light, the house of the Father.'   Lo, this is the news of the skies.

'I was sent, the Mother watching, her brethren gathered unto her.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the feast being spread, the good feast surround the Father.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the Father rejoicing, gladness surrounding him.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the Father being gathered, being in the dwelling of the Land of Light.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the Father rejoicing, the Maidens surrounding him.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the Father being gathered, the joyful ones singing to him.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the harps being in their hands, they playing to the Father of the Lights.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the pipes sounding in the mooring-places.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the sea being calm, the .... of the .... being drawn.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I was sent, the ships coming to port, the .... being very secure.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I came, the city being calm, the citizens rejoicing and being glad.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I came, the walls being firmly established, the watch-tower men guarding them.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I left the Intelligence guarding the Father, the joy of the Land of Light.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I left the Reason guarding the Faith, the Aeons surround the Father.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I left the Thought guarding the Perfection, the breath of life which surrounds the Father.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I left the Counsel guarding the Endurance, carrying life to all the Aeons.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I left the Intention being the foundation and base to the Land of Light.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I came from the house of joy; I have brought joy for you as I come.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I came from the house of plenty; I have brought plenty as I come to you.'   Lo, this is the news.

'I came, the Mother looking for thee, her brethren also being there with her.'   Lo, this is the news.

'Let us go, they await thee, they are at the border, they expect thee.'   Lo.

'Lo, God has whole come: do thou call, he will answer thee.'   Lo.

'They are laden with garlands and palms to give to thee, the captain.'   Lo.

'Tell me the news, arm thy loved ones, they garlanded host.'

'I will take the news of all thy Aeons and go with it and thy son and take up the news.'

'His host is fast established, he holds the governors of the Land of Darkness.'   Lo, this is the news.

'The Air is set over the smoke: its hosts are bound, they are fettered.'   Lo, this is the news.

'The Wind guards the king of the storm: his host is bound, it is fettered.'   Take the news.

'The Light is set over the king of the Darkness: his host is bound, it is fettered.'   Take the news.

'Lo, the Waters have shut in the king of the inundation of death.'   Take the news.

'The maiden, the Living Fire, she is become mistress over the Land of Darkness.'   Take the news.

'Lo, we have laid waste the Land of Darkness: we are waiting for thee with the garland.'   Take the news.

'We have bought the dens of the hungry ones, we took their land for five loaves.'   Take the news.

'We gave the water, they drank, they were drunk, they sold the wages of their ......'    Take the news.

'The robe of Light was set upon them, it was a bond and a shackle on them.'   Take the news.

'They lusted after the breath of the wind, it was a fetter on their neck.'   Take the news.

'They smelt the breath of the air, it was death to them all.'   Take up the news.

'Let us go, they await thee: the Light has surrounded the Darkness.'

'Let us go, they await thee, they are on the border, they expect thee.'

'Lo, God has wholly come: do thou call, he will answer thee.'

'Lo, they that shall help thee await thee, their hands are spread to embrace thee.'   Take the news.

'They are laden with garlands and palms to give to thee, the victorious captain.'   Take the news.

The envoy heard the good news, he took it to him that sent him.   Take the news.

The Fathers of Light came that they might help their loved one.   Take the news.

They helped the First Man, he cried before him in joy: 'Behold me, behold my merchandise.'

Great is the joy that there was, the First Man being in their midst, laden with garlands and palms.   Lo, this is the news.

May it happen to us together that we may be counted in his merchandise and rejoice with all the Aeons.   Lo, this is the news.

May we be counted among those of the right hand and inherit our kingdom.   Lo, this is the news.

And may we live with our kinsmen from everlasting to everlasting.   Lo, this is the news.

Glory to the First Man, honour to the Living Spirit, and their busy deeds which they have done.  Victory to the soul for the blessed Mary, Theona.

Such an amazing piece of work that is largely not seen! I hope you find this reading quite enlightening. I do have a few comments in regards to the Mary Magdalene portions. The first part obviously alludes to Mary first seeing the risen Christ. The next time she gets mentioned, it’s during a descriptive part of the disciples where this phrase speaks of her: A net-caster is Mariam, hunting for the eleven others that were wandering. There were. I love how Mary is described as a net-caster, gathering up the 11 that ran off after the crucifixion. Apostle to the apostles indeed! I do like to mention that the next line mentions that Martha (of Bethany) is a sister to Mariam. Now this is interesting as Roman Catholicism legends conflates Mary Magdalene with Mary of Bethany. In Orthodoxy, this is not the case and they are two separate people (of which I am in agreement). However, this fourth century text mentions they are sisters. Hmm… Another mention of Mariam is this phrase: He chose Mariam, the Spirit of Wisdom. I absolutely love this! I have always seen Mary Magdalene as an avatar of Sophia (Divine Wisdom) and to see this mentioned as such in this psalm definitely made me smile.

Featured photo is of a Coptic manuscript of this psalm. https://viewer.cbl.ie/viewer/image/Pma_4_191-192/2/

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