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 127
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And guard our city
If the Lord does not build the house
In vain do its builders labour
If the Lord does not watch over the city
In vain does the watchman keep vigil
Your going later to rest
You who toil for the bread you eat
When he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber
Truly sons are a gift from the Lord
A blessing, the fruit of the womb
Indeed the sons of youth
Are like arrows in the hand of a warrior
O the happiness of the man
Who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame
When he disputes with his foes in the gateways
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 song "Psalm 127" by John Michael Talbot is an interpretation of the biblical psalm by the same name. The lyrics emphasize the importance of relying on the Lord for success and prosperity, rather than our own efforts. The opening lines express a hope that the Lord will build up our house and protect our city. The following verses warn that without the Lord's guidance, all our work will be in vain. Even those who work hard for their sustenance will find no fulfillment without God's blessings. The lyrics conclude with a reminder that children are a gift from the Lord, and that those who raise them in the Lord's ways will be blessed. The song begins and ends with a doxology, glorifying the Triune God.
Overall, "Psalm 127" is a call to trust in God for all aspects of our lives, whether it be building a house, raising children, or safeguarding a city. The lyrics speak to the human struggle to control our own destinies, and the anxiety that comes with realizing that we are ultimately reliant on something greater than ourselves. By returning to the foundational truth that all good things come from God, the song encourages us to let go of our worries and anxieties, and trust that God's plans are better than our own.
Line by Line Meaning
May the Lord build our house
We ask that the Lord provides us with his guidance and support in building our household
And guard our city
We ask that the Lord keeps watch over our city and protects us from harm
If the Lord does not build the house
Without the Lord's guidance and support, the labor of building a house is meaningless
In vain do its builders labour
The efforts of those who build without the Lord's guidance are wasted and futile
If the Lord does not watch over the city
Without the Lord's protection and oversight, the efforts of those who keep watch over the city are in vain
In vain does the watchman keep vigil
The efforts of those who keep vigil without the Lord's protection and oversight are worthless
In vain is your earlier rising
Working hard and sacrificing sleep in the pursuit of wealth without acknowledging the Lord's gifts is meaningless
Your going later to rest
Similarly, sacrificing rest to work harder without acknowledging the Lord's blessings is also meaningless
You who toil for the bread you eat
Those who struggle and work hard for their daily bread
When he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber
The Lord blesses those he loves with gifts, even when they are sleeping and unaware of his actions
Truly sons are a gift from the Lord
Children are a blessing from the Lord
A blessing, the fruit of the womb
Children are a joyous product of the love between a husband and wife
Indeed the sons of youth
The children born to young couples
Are like arrows in the hand of a warrior
Children are like weapons in the hands of their parents, to be guided and aimed towards success and happiness
O the happiness of the man
The joy of a man
Who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
Who has been blessed with many children, all of whom he can guide and aim towards a happy life
He will have no cause for shame
That man will have nothing to be ashamed of
When he disputes with his foes in the gateways
Even when dealing with difficult situations and people, he can have confidence in how he raised his children
Glory to the Father
Praise and honor to God the Father
And to the Son
And to Jesus Christ, his Son
And to the Holy Spirit
And to the Holy Spirit, who provides guidance and support
As it was in the beginning
As it has always been from the start of creation
Is now
Continuing into the present
And will be forever
And will continue for all eternity
Amen
So be it
Writer(s): John Michael Talbot
Contributed by Eliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.