Biography:
Talbot was born into a Methodist family with a musical background in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and started learning to play the guitar at an early age. At age 15 he dropped out of school and was performing as a guitarist for Mason Proffit, a country folk-rock band formed with his older brother Terry.
Talbot embarked on a spiritual journey that led him through Native American religion and Buddhism to Christianity. At this point he and his brother, Terry, joined the Jesus Movement, recording the album Reborn which was re-released by Sparrow Records (originally released as The Talbot Brothers on the Warner Brothers label).
Two solo albums followed for Talbot: John Michael Talbot (1976) and The New Earth (1977). Both of these were produced by Billy Ray Hearn.
Reading the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, he was inspired to begin studying at a Franciscan center in Indianapolis. He became a Roman Catholic and joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1978. He started a house of prayer, The Little Portion.
Talbot moved The Little Portion to Eureka Springs, Arkansas on land he had purchased during his Mason Proffit days. He founded his own community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, at Little Portion Hermitage as an "integrated monastic community" with celibate brothers and sisters, singles, and families. By 1989, Talbot had married Viola Pratka (with the permission of the Catholic Church). Pratka was a former Incarnate Word Sister who had come to the community in 1986.
Per the community's General Constitutions, Talbot's title is "General Minister and Spiritual Father". For many years, he has promoted the work of Mercy Corps.
The hermitage suffered a fire in April 2008 in which the chapel, library and many common areas were destroyed.
On April 10, 2010 the Bishop of Little Rock, Anthony Taylor, dedicated the new buildings. On October 2, 2010 the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage celebrated the opening of the new monastery church and common center.
Come Worship the Lord
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For we are His people
The flock that He shepherds
Alleluia
Come, worship the Lord
For we are His people
The flock that He shepherds
Come, let us sing to the Lord
And shout with joy to the Rock who saves us
Let us come with thanksgiving
And sing joyful songs to the Lord
Come, worship the Lord
For we are His people
The flock that He shepherds
Alleluia
The Lord is God, the mighty God
The great King o′er all other gods
He holds in His hands the depths of the Earth
And the highest mountains as well
He made the sea, it belongs now to Him
The dry land too, was formed by His hand
Come, worship the Lord
For we are His people
The flock that He shepherds
Alleluia
And come, worship the Lord
For we are His people
The flock that He shepherds
Alleluia
Alleluia
Alleluia
The song "Come Worship the Lord" by John Michael Talbot is a hymn that calls for worshippers to acknowledge and praise God as their shepherd and protector. The first verse establishes that the people singing are God's flock, and they have gathered to worship him. The second verse builds on this by urging the worshippers to sing to the Lord joyfully, with thanksgiving and praises. The third verse exalts the greatness and might of God, highlighting his power over creation and how he is supreme over all other gods. Finally, the chorus is repeated, emphasizing the message of the song, that the worshippers are God's people and they are called to worship and praise him.
The lyrics of this song connect to several themes in Christianity: worship, thanksgiving, and recognizing the greatness of God. Through the use of repetition, the lyrics drive home the idea that God is the shepherd and his people are his flock, reinforcing the idea of an intimate, loving relationship between God and man. The lines that emphasize God's power over creation also showcase the majesty and awesomeness of God, which is a critical aspect of Christian theology. Overall, the song encourages worshippers to focus on God, his goodness and power, and to acknowledge their dependence on him.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, worship the Lord
Let us gather together to honor and praise our Lord
For we are His people
We belong to God and are His chosen ones
The flock that He shepherds
God watches over us and guides us like a shepherd does his flock
Alleluia
We rejoice and give thanks to God
Come, let us sing to the Lord
Let us use our voices to show our love and appreciation to God
And shout with joy to the Rock who saves us
Let us proclaim loudly that God is our savior and protector
Let us come with thanksgiving
Let us approach God with grateful hearts
And sing joyful songs to the Lord
Let us lift up our voices in happiness and praise to God
The Lord is God, the mighty God
God is all-powerful and worthy of our worship
The great King o′er all other gods
God is the supreme ruler and reigns over all
He holds in His hands the depths of the Earth
God has complete control over the Earth and all that is in it
And the highest mountains as well
Even the tallest mountains belong to God
He made the sea, it belongs now to Him
God created the vastness of the ocean and it is under His authority
The dry land too, was formed by His hand
Even the solid ground beneath our feet was created by God
Alleluia
We rejoice and give thanks to God
And come, worship the Lord
Let us gather together again to honor and praise our Lord
Alleluia
We rejoice and give thanks to God
Alleluia
We rejoice and give thanks to God
Writer(s): John Michael Talbot
Contributed by Julian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.