Psalm 45.  Deus noster refugium

 Under the image of the "City of God", Jerusalem, the following two Psalms picture the kingdom of God invincibly fortified and firmly entrenched in the Church and in the soul.  "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18).  The Church will never be vanquished by the devil―this is our great consolation.

The individual Christian, too, may be a rock, like St. Peter, upon which Christ can build his kingdom.  To fill that role, he prays here for perseverance.

Psalm 45 has an exceptionally fine poetical development.

The enemies' futile onslaught

Deus noster refúgium, et virtus: * adjútor in tribulatiónibus, quæ invenérunt nos nimis.
2  Proptérea non timébimus dum turbábitur terra: * et transferéntur montes in cor maris.
3  Sonuérunt, et turbátæ sunt aquæ eórum: * conturbáti sunt montes in fortitúdine ejus.

God is our hope and strength, * a very present help in trouble, which hath found us exceedingly.
2  Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved, * and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea;
3  Though the waters thereof rage and swell, * and though the mountains shake at the strength of the same.

God the bulwark of his city

4  Flúminis ímpetus lætíficat civitátem Dei: * sanctificávit tabernáculum suum Altíssimus.
5  Deus in médio ejus, non commovébitur: * adjuvábit eam Deus mane dilúculo.
6  Conturbátæ sunt Gentes, et inclináta sunt regna: * dedit vocem suam, mota est terra.
7  Dóminus virtútum nobíscum: * suscéptor noster Deus Jacob.

4  The rivers of the flood thereof shall make glad the city of God; * the Most Highest hath made holy his tabernacle.
5  God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed; * God shall help her, and that right early.
6  The nations were troubled, and the kingdoms were bowed down; * but he hath shewed his voice, and the earth hath been moved.
7  The Lord of Hosts is with us; * the God of Jacob is our refuge.

The enemy overthrown

8  Veníte, et vidéte ópera Dómini, quæ pósuit prodígia super terram: * áuferens bella usque ad finem terræ.
9  Arcum cónteret, et confrínget arma: * et scuta combúret igni.
10  Vacáte, et vidéte quóniam ego sum Deus: * exaltábor in Géntibus, et exaltábor in terra.
11  Dóminus virtútum nobíscum: * suscéptor noster Deus Jacob.

8  O come hither, and behold the works of the Lord : what wonders he hath brought upon the earth : * he maketh wars to cease even to the end of the earth.
9  He shall break the bow, and break the spear in sunder, * and the shield he shall burn in the fire.
10  Be still then, and know that I am God: * I will be exalted among the heathen, and I will be exalted in the earth.
11  The Lord of Hosts is with us; * the God of Jacob is our refuge.