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.
Psalm 124
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who made heaven and earth
If the Lord have not been on our side
This is Israel′s song
If the Lord have not been on our side
When men rose against us
Then would they have swallowed us alive
Then would the waters have engulfed us
The torrent gone over us
Over our head would have swept
The raging waters
Blessed be the Lord who did not give us
As prey to their teeth
Our life like a bird has escaped
From the snare of the fouwlers
Indeed the snare has bin broken
And we have escaped
Our help is in the name of the Lord
Who made heaven and earth
Glory to the Father
And to the Son
And to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning
Is now
And will be forever
Amen
The lyrics of "Psalm 124" by John Michael Talbot is a recitation of one of the Psalms that is meant to glorify the Lord who has been the helper of Israel. The opening lyrics acknowledge that their help is in the name of the Lord who has made heaven and earth. The lyrics further highlight the significance of the Lord being on their side, as without Him, they would have been swallowed alive by their enemies' anger. The singer goes on to explain that the waters would have overrun them, and the raging waters would have swept them over.
The next set of lyrics is an expression of thankfulness to the Lord who did not allow them to become prey to their enemies, who would have destroyed them like birds caught in a snare. Instead, the snare has been broken, and they have escaped. In the final verse, they give glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Our help is in the name of the Lord
We can always rely on the Lord for help
Who made heaven and earth
The Lord is the creator of all things
If the Lord have not been on our side
Without the Lord's help, we would be in trouble
This is Israel′s song
This song is sung by the people of Israel
When men rose against us
When our enemies attacked us
Then would they have swallowed us alive
We would have been defeated completely
When their anger was kindled
When our enemies were very angry with us
Then would the waters have engulfed us
We would have been overwhelmed like a flood
The torrent gone over us
We would have been swept away by a powerful current
Over our head would have swept
The waters would have risen over our heads
The raging waters
The waters that were like a raging storm
Blessed be the Lord who did not give us
Praise the Lord for not letting our enemies destroy us
As prey to their teeth
To be caught and devoured by our enemies
Our life like a bird has escaped
We have been saved like a bird from a hunter's trap
From the snare of the fouwlers
From the trap of our enemies
Indeed the snare has bin broken
Our enemies' trap has been destroyed
And we have escaped
And we have been saved from their plans
Glory to the Father
Praise and honor to God the Father
And to the Son
And to Jesus His son
And to the Holy Spirit
And to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning
As it was at the very start
Is now
Is still true today
And will be forever
And will be true forever
Amen
So be it
Writer(s): John Michael Talbot
Contributed by Reagan K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.