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 23
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I shall not want
Beside restful waters
I am there
In the pasture of plenty
My soul lies down
So come all you thirsty
And come all you inflicted
And be healed
For though we walk
In the darkness now
No evil shall be feared
If the light of His banner
Be at our side
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want
Beside restful waters
I am there
In the pasture of plenty
My soul lies down
And come
All you hungry
At the table by His bread
And come now
And be annointed
Overflow
With His goodness
And His kindness
For the rest of your years
As you dwell within the hosue
Of our Lord
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want
Beside restful waters
I am there
In the pasture of plenty
My soul lies down
The lyrics to John Michael Talbot’s song, “Lord,” are a beautiful expression of the comfort and sustenance that we can find in our relationship with God. The opening lines, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” are taken directly from the 23rd Psalm and set the tone for the rest of the song. The shepherd metaphor is a common one in the Bible, representing God’s care and guidance for his people. The imagery of resting by calm waters and lying down in a pasture of plenty are also drawn from the Psalm, evoking feelings of peace and abundance.
The next stanza of the song invites all who are thirsty and afflicted to come and find refreshment and healing in God’s presence. The line, “For though we walk in the darkness now, no evil shall be feared,” acknowledges the difficulties and trials of life, but asserts that we can face them without fear if we rely on God’s light and protection. The final stanza extends the invitation further, welcoming all who are hungry to come and partake in God’s abundance, and be filled with His goodness and kindness.
Overall, the lyrics to “Lord” offer a message of hope and comfort to those who are in need, reminding us that we can find sustenance and restoration in our relationship with God.
Line by Line Meaning
The Lord is my shepherd;
God watches over me and guides me through life as a shepherd cares for his sheep.
I shall not want
I have everything I need because God provides for me.
Beside restful waters
God gives me peace and serenity, like a cool stream on a hot day.
I am there
God is always present, even in the quiet moments where His voice can be heard.
In the pasture of plenty
God brings me to a place of abundance, where I lack nothing.
My soul lies down
God provides a place of rest and comfort where my spirit can find peace.
So come all you thirsty
God invites those who are spiritually parched and yearning for something more to come to Him.
Your soul shall be refreshed
God will replenish and rejuvenate the souls of those who come to Him.
And come all you inflicted
God invites those who are suffering and in pain to find refuge in Him.
And be healed
God offers to mend the brokenness of our hearts and minds.
For though we walk
Although we may experience trials and tribulations in life,
In the darkness now
Even in times of darkness, we can trust in God to guide and protect us.
No evil shall be feared
We need not be afraid of evil or harm because God is on our side.
If the light of His banner
If we walk in the light of God and live by His teachings,
Be at our side
He will be our constant companion and guide us through the challenges of life.
And come
God extends another invitation.
All you hungry
God invites those who hunger for truth and spiritual fulfillment to come to Him.
At the table by His bread
God provides spiritual nourishment for our souls through His teachings and wisdom.
And be annointed
God offers to bless us and anoint us with His grace and favor.
Overflow
Our cups will run over with the goodness of God.
With His goodness
God's kindness, love, and mercy will fill us completely.
And His kindness
God's compassion and generosity will never run dry.
For the rest of your years
God's blessings will extend throughout our lives.
As you dwell within the house
As we live within the presence of God and abide in His love,
Of our Lord
He will continue to watch over us and provide for our every need.
Contributed by Alexander O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.