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.
Holy Holy Holy
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And my spirit exalts in God my savior
For He has looked with mercy on my lowliness
And my name will be forever exalted
For the mighty God has done great things for me
And His mercy will reach from age to age
And holy, holy, holy is His name
He has mercy in every generation
He has revealed His power and His glory
He has cast down the mighty in their arrogance
And has lifted up the meek and the lonely
He has come to help His servant Israel
He remembered His promise to our fathers
And holy, holy, holy is His name
Holy, holy, holy is His name
In John Michael Talbot's song "Holy Holy Holy," the singer proclaims the greatness of the Lord and exalts in God as their Savior, expressing gratitude for the mercy that has been shown to them in their loneliness. The singer believes that the Lord has done great things for them, and they believe that His mercy will continue to reach from generation to generation. The repeated phrase of "holy, holy, holy is His name" emphasizes the divinity and holiness of the Lord.
Throughout the song, the singer also acknowledges the power and glory of the Lord, as well as the way in which He has shown mercy and cast down the mighty while lifting up the meek and the lonely. The singer believes that the Lord has come to help His servant Israel and that He has remembered His promise to their fathers. Overall, the song expresses a deep reverence and gratitude for the Lord and His actions throughout history.
Line by Line Meaning
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
My innermost being praises the remarkable superiority of God.
And my spirit exalts in God my Savior
My core essence greatly rejoices in God, who saves me.
For He has looked with mercy on my loneliness
He has benevolently gazed upon my state of being alone and comforted me.
And my name will be forever exalted
My reputation will always be lifted up and respected.
For the mighty God has done great things for me
The powerful God has accomplished amazing deeds on my behalf.
And His mercy will reach from age to age
His compassion will extend through all the generations to come.
And holy, holy, holy is His name
He is completely and utterly pure and worthy of reverence.
He has mercy in every generation
He shows compassion in each and every time period.
He has revealed His power and His glory
He has demonstrated His strength and magnificent shining brightness.
He has cast down the mighty in their arrogance
He has brought down those who are powerful in their pride.
And has lifted up the meek and the lonely
And He has raised up those who are humble and alone.
He has come to help His servant Israel
He has arrived to assist His devotee Israel.
He remembered His promise to our fathers
He did not forget His pledge to those who came before us.
And holy, (holy) holy, holy is His name
He is completely and utterly pure and worthy of reverence.
Holy, holy, holy is His name
He is completely and utterly pure and worthy of reverence.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: John Michael Talbot
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind