Today's Psalm is Psalm 46, from the sons of Korah, who were singers in the Temple choir. The sons of Korah are credited with twelve Psalms, 42-49, 84-85, 87-88. Their Psalms are magnificent and moving. Psalm 45 is quoted in the book of Hebrews for its Messianic references.
Korah, of course, is remembered for his rebellion against the Lord, along with Dathan and Abiram, by asking for the priesthood of Aaron (Numbers 16). Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, along with many others were slain by the Lord in their rebellion, however, the descendants of Korah did not die (Numbers 26:11). They went on to become singers in the Temple choir, and were active in Jehoshaphat's victory over the Moabites and Ammonites (2 Chronicles 20:1-30), where an enemy was defeated by God with no effort exerted by the army of Judah (the only effort exerted at all was by the singers singing God's praise!), which I mention because it fits the context of this Psalm.
God is recognized as being our refuge and strength, even through natural disasters and calamity. Even through the rage of nations and the upheaval of kingdoms, God's city shall not be moved. God does mighty works in the earth, breaking the bow, cutting the spear in two, and burning the chariots of war in the fire. We are urged to be still and know that He is God, and He will be exalted among the nations, in all the earth.
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Al'amoth.God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.Therefore will not we fear,
though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
Selah.There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.God is in the midst of her;
she shall not be moved:
God shall help her, and that right early.The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved:
he uttered his voice, the earth melted.The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah.Come, behold the works of the LORD,
what desolations he hath made in the earth.He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth;
he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder;
he burneth the chariot in the fire.Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah.
A bit of trivia about this Psalm: Psalm 46 is thought by some to have been translated for the King James Version by William Shakespeare. The 46th word from the beginning is "shake", and the 46th word from the end is "spear". Shakespeare was 46 years old (that's my age!) when the King James Version was dedicated in 1611. Some others say that it was an underhanded way for the translators to recognize Shakespeare via a hidden wordplay. I find this theory very unlikely, the effect is very esoteric, so most people wouldn't get it, and I don't see how it is really helping Shakespeare out in any way. If there is any merit to this idea, someone should have found someone's notes saying that it was so. In the absence of such evidence, it's just idle conjecture. Anyway, in honor of this "coincidence", today's citation is from the King James Version.