Auxilium nostrum in nomine Domini
“Our help is in the name of the Lord.”
University motto, after Psalm 124:8
What does “Auxilium nostrum in nomine Domini” mean?
Auxilium nostrum in nomine Domini translates as “Our help is in the name of the Lord.”
It expresses trust that true help comes from God. It is a confession of faith and dependence.
“Auxilium nostrum in nomine Domini” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Auxilium | help, aid | nominative singular neuter (subject) of auxilium, “help” |
| nostrum | our | nominative singular neuter of noster, “our”; agrees with auxilium |
| in | in | preposition taking the ablative here, meaning “in” |
| nomine | name | ablative singular neuter of nomen, “name” |
| Domini | of the Lord | genitive singular masculine of dominus, “lord, master”; “of the Lord” |
How to pronounce “Auxilium nostrum in nomine Domini”
In Church pronunciation the x in auxilium is often voiced (gz) and the short i vowels sound like the English ‘ee’; classical keeps a short i. The stress is the same in both: aux-I-lium, NOS-trum, NO-mi-ne, DO-mi-ni.
The story behind it
Word for word the line says “our help in the name of the Lord”. There is no verb in the Latin, so “is” is supplied in English, as Latin often does with short statements.
The wording echoes Psalm 124:8 (Psalm 123:8 in the Vulgate numbering), which reads “Adiutorium nostrum in nomine Domini” and continues “qui fecit caelum et terram”, “who made heaven and earth”. The motto swaps adiutorium for the near-synonym auxilium.
The psalm verse became part of Christian liturgy and prayer, notably as a versicle at the opening of services in the Latin tradition. Here the line serves as a university motto, which is how this page sources it.
How to use “Auxilium nostrum in nomine Domini”
Suits a chapel or church inscription, a hospital or school crest, or a confirmation or baptism gift. It also works as a personal motto for someone who wants to express trust in God.
- Latin
- Auxilium nostrum in nomine Domini
- English
- Our help is in the name of the Lord.
- Source
- University motto, after Psalm 124:8
- Era
- Church Latin
- Theme
- Faith
Common mistakes
- The psalm itself reads “Adiutorium nostrum”, not “Auxilium nostrum”. If you want the exact biblical wording, use adiutorium.
- There is no est in the Latin. Do not add one, and do not read the line as a plain noun phrase meaning only “our help”.
- Psalm numbering differs: the verse is 124:8 in Hebrew and most English Bibles but 123:8 in the Vulgate.
- Domini is genitive, “of the Lord”. Do not change it to Dominus or Domino when quoting, as that breaks the grammar.
Questions about “Auxilium nostrum in nomine Domini”
What does “Auxilium nostrum in nomine Domini” mean literally?
“Our help in the name of the Lord”, usually rendered “Our help is in the name of the Lord”. Latin leaves out the verb “is”.
Where does “Auxilium nostrum in nomine Domini” come from?
It echoes Psalm 124:8 (Vulgate 123:8). The psalm says “Adiutorium nostrum in nomine Domini”, with adiutorium in place of auxilium.
Is “Auxilium nostrum in nomine Domini” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, the grammar is sound. If you want the exact Vulgate wording, choose “Adiutorium nostrum in nomine Domini” instead.
How do you pronounce “Auxilium nostrum in nomine Domini”?
Classical: owk-SIH-lee-oom NOH-stroom in NOH-mih-neh DOH-mih-nee. Church Latin sounds close, with a softer x and ee-like i vowels.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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