John Michael Talbot (born May 8, 1954) is an American Roman Catholic singer… Read Full Bio ↴John Michael Talbot (born May 8, 1954) is an American Roman Catholic singer-songwriter-guitarist who is founder of a monastic community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity

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.

I Lift Up My Eyes
John Michael Talbot Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I lift up my eyes to the mountains
From where shall come my help;
My help shall come from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

May He never allow you to stumble,
Let him sleep not, your guard;
No, he sleeps not, nor slumbers,

Israel′s guard.

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The Lord is your guard and your shade,
At your right side He stands;
By day the sun shall not smite you,
Nor the moon in the night.

The Lord will guard you from all evil,
He will guard your heart and your soul;
He will guard your going and your coming,
Now and forevermore.

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Overall Meaning

The lyrics of John Michael Talbot's song "I Lift Up My Eyes" are based on Psalm 121, which is a psalm of trust in God's protection. The song is an expression of faith, hope, and trust in God's providence and protection. The first verse speaks about looking up to the mountains for help, which is a metaphor for seeking divine help from a higher power. The second line, "From where shall come my help," is a rhetorical question, implying that the help we need can only come from God who is the creator of heaven and earth.

The second verse speaks about the Lord as a protector who never allows His children to stumble. It shows the depth of God's love and concern for His people. The third verse speaks about the Lord as a guard and a shade, who stands at our right side. This assurance of the Lord's presence reflects the promise He made to Israel in the Old Testament, where He promised to be their protector and guide. The song ends with the declaration that the Lord will guard our going out and coming in, now and forevermore.

Overall, the song is a powerful expression of faith, trust, and hope in God's care and protection. It reminds us that even amidst the troubles and challenges of life, we can find comfort and strength in God who holds us in His hands.

Line by Line Meaning

I lift up my eyes to the mountains
I am looking towards the mountains, seeking for help

From where shall come my help;
I am wondering where I can find the help I need

My help shall come from the Lord,
My help will come from the Lord

Who made heaven and earth.
He is the creator of heaven and earth

May He never allow you to stumble,
May God never let you fall or fail

Let him sleep not, your guard;
May He stay awake, guarding you

No, he sleeps not, nor slumbers,
God does not sleep nor get tired

Israel′s guard.
He is the protector of Israel

The Lord is your guard and your shade,
The Lord is protecting you and provides you shade from evil

At your right side He stands;
He stands by your side at all times

By day the sun shall not smite you,
The sun will not harm you during the day