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.

Psalm 27 Part 2
John Michael Talbot Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I long to look on You O Lord
Do not turn Your face from me

O Lord, hear my voice when I call
Have mercy and answer
Of You my heart has spoken
"Seek His face

It is Your face, O Lord, that I seek."
Hide not Your face
This is not Your servant in anger
You have been my help

Do not abandon nor forsake me
O God my help!
Though father and mother forsake me
The Lord will receive me

Instruct me, Lord in Your way
On an even path lead me
When they lie in ambush, protect me
From my enemies greed
False withnesses rise against me
Breathing out fury

I am sure I shall see the Lord′s goodness
In the land of the living
Hope in Him, hold firm and take heart
Hope in the Lord

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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of John Michael Talbot's "Psalm 27 Part 2" express the deepest longings of the human heart for intimate fellowship with God. The psalmist begins by expressing his desire to behold the face of the Lord and pleads with God not to turn away from him. This desire for intimacy with God flows from a heart that is fully committed to seeking God and His ways.

The songwriter then moves to a cry for help, begging God to hear his voice when he calls, and to show mercy and answer his prayer. The singer is confident that God is his helper and has been his help in the past, and therefore, he pleads with God not to abandon or forsake him. The song evokes the sense that we are all vulnerable to the trials and tribulations of life, but through our faith and trust in God, we can overcome these challenges and emerge stronger.

In a world filled with chaos and turmoil, the lyrics of "Psalm 27 Part 2" provide a reminder that when we seek God, we will find Him, and He will give us the strength to overcome even the most challenging situations.

Line by Line Meaning

I long to look on You O Lord
My heart longs to see You, O Lord

Do not turn Your face from me
Please do not ignore me, Lord; listen to my prayer

O Lord, hear my voice when I call
Lord, please hear my plea when I call to You

Have mercy and answer
Please show me mercy and respond to me

Of You my heart has spoken
My heart desires You, Lord

"Seek His face
"Look for the Lord's face

It is Your face, O Lord, that I seek."
I am seeking Your face, O Lord

Hide not Your face
Please do not hide from me, Lord

This is not Your servant in anger
I am not coming to You in anger, Lord

You have been my help
You have helped me, Lord

Do not abandon nor forsake me
Please do not leave me behind, Lord