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 27 Part 1
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is my light and my aim
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life
Before whom shall I shake?
When evildoers draw me
It is they my enemies and foes
Who stumble and fall
Though an army encamp against me
My heart will not fear
Though war break out against me
Even then would I trust
There is one thing I ask of the Lord
For this I hum
To live in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life
To savor the sweetness of the Lord
To behold His temple
For there He keeps me safe in His tent
In the day of evil
He hides me in the shelter of His tent
On a rock He sets me saved
And now my head shall be raised
Above my foes who surround me
And I shall offer within His tent
A sacrifice of joy
I will sing and make music for the Lord
Glory to the Father and to the Son
And to the Holy Spirit
As it was in my beginning
Is now
And will be forever
Amen
In John Michael Talbot's song Psalm 27 Part 1, the artist speaks of his unwavering faith in God. The song is a rendition of the first part of Psalm 27 and is a true representation of the Psalmist's faith in God. The song starts by stating that the Lord is the artist's light and aim, and he should, therefore, not fear. This line is a clear indication that the artist is hopeful that God will always light his way and that he should trust in him through all circumstances.
The artist goes on to state that the Lord is the stronghold of his life and that he will not shake before enemies. This statement shows that the artist has unbreakable faith in God and that he believes God will protect him from all enemies. The chorus reads, "Whom shall I fear?" It's evident that the artist is confident in his faith, and he believes that God is always with him. The second verse continues the message of the first verse, stating that even when an army encamps around him, the artist will still not fear as he trusts in God.
Overall, the song is a message of faith and trust in God. The repetition of the lines, "Whom shall I fear?" and "The Lord is my light and my aim" drives home the message of the song. The artist is determined to live in the Lord's house and savor his sweetness, and he knows that even in the day of evil, God will protect him.
Line by Line Meaning
The Lord is my light and my aim
God illuminates the path I must take, and I aim to follow Him.
Whom shall I fear?
With the Lord by my side, there is no one I should fear.
The Lord is the stronghold of my life
God is the foundation of my existence and security.
Before whom shall I shake?
There is no one who could make me tremble with fear when the Lord is with me.
When evildoers draw me
When evil people try to harm me
To eat up my flesh
To destroy me or cause me physical harm
It is they my enemies and foes
The people who wish to harm me are the ones who seek to be my enemies and foes.
Who stumble and fall
But they will ultimately be defeated and brought down.
Though an army encamp against me
Even if a multitude of hostile forces surround me
My heart will not fear
God gives me courage so that my heart will not quake with fear.
Though war break out against me
Even if I am caught up in a war
Even then would I trust
I will still put my faith and trust in the Lord.
There is one thing I ask of the Lord
I have only one request for God.
For this I hum
I approach God with humility and respect.
To live in the house of the Lord
To dwell in the presence of God
All the days of my life
For the entirety of my time on earth.
To savor the sweetness of the Lord
To enjoy the goodness and blessings of God
To behold His temple
To worship and contemplate the majesty of God.
For there He keeps me safe in His tent
God provides a place of refuge and protection for me.
In the day of evil
When times are tough and filled with darkness and despair.
He hides me in the shelter of His tent
God keeps me hidden and safe from danger.
On a rock He sets me saved
God provides me with a steadfast foundation that will keep me from wandering away from salvation.
And now my head shall be raised
My soul will be filled with joy and exaltation.
Above my foes who surround me
God will elevate me even higher than those who seek to harm me.
And I shall offer within His tent
I will praise God within the boundaries of His Holy dwelling place.
A sacrifice of joy
An offering of delight, giving thanks for what God has done for me.
I will sing and make music for the Lord
I will worship God with song and music, expressing my adoration and gratitude for all that He has done for me.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
Praise and adoration to God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
And to the Holy Spirit
To the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity.
As it was in my beginning
As it was in the beginning of time, before creation.
Is now
God's power and love is as strong and steadfast as it has always been.
And will be forever
God's love and mercy will endure for all of eternity.
Amen
So be it.
Writer(s): John Michael Talbot
Contributed by Liam C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.