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 45 Part 1
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every word you speak is for love grace
My heart overflows with noble words
To the king I must speak the song I have made
My tongue as nimble as the pen of a scribe
You are the fairest of the children of men
Because God has blessed you for evermore
O mighty one, gird your sword upon your thigh
In splendor and state, ride on in triumph
For the cause of truth and goodness and right
Take aim with your bow in your dread right hand
Your arrows are sharp, peoples fall beneath you
The foes of the king fall down and lose heart
Your throne, O God, shall endure for ever
A scepter of justice is the scepter of your kingdom
Your love is for justice; your hatred for evil
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
With the oil of gladness above other kings
Your robes are fragrant with aloes and myrrh
From the ivory palace you are greeted with music
The daughters of kings are among your loved ones
On your right stands the queen in gold of Ophir
Glory to the Father
And to the Son
And to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning
Is now
And will be for ever
Amen
The Psalm 45 Part 1 by John Michael Talbot speaks of a beautiful and noble king who is blessed by God. The song begins with a statement that the king’s beauty is beyond what a mortal can possess, and his words are filled with love and grace. The singer then uses eloquent language to express the overflowing of his heart with noble words, which he must speak to the king.
The next verses of the song describe the king as the fairest among children of men, representing the cause of truth, goodness, and right. The king’s bow and arrows are described as sharp, and his enemies fall in defeat before him. The song then states that the king's throne shall endure forever, as the scepter of his kingdom represents justice.
The final verses of the song depict the king's luxurious appearance with aloes and myrrh fragrant robes, greeted with music from the ivory palace. The daughters of kings are among the loved ones, and the queen stands at the king's right in gold. The song finishes with a beautiful doxology that gives glory to the Holy Trinity, as it was in the beginning, now, and forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Yours is more than mortal beauty
Your beauty comes from more than just physical appearance
Every word you speak is for love grace
All your words are filled with love and grace
My heart overflows with noble words
My heart is full of noble words to speak of you
To the king I must speak the song I have made
I must sing my song to the king
My tongue as nimble as the pen of a scribe
I can speak as well as a skilled writer can write
You are the fairest of the children of men
You are the most beautiful of all people
And graciousness is poured upon your lips
You speak kindly and with grace
Because God has blessed you for evermore
You have been blessed by God forever
O mighty one, gird your sword upon your thigh
Prepare yourself for battle
In splendor and state, ride on in triumph
Ride on triumphantly in your splendor and power
For the cause of truth and goodness and right
Fight for truth, goodness, and right
Take aim with your bow in your dread right hand
Get ready to shoot your bow with your powerful right hand
Your arrows are sharp, peoples fall beneath you
Your arrows are sharp and deadly, people fall under your power
The foes of the king fall down and lose heart
The enemies of the king fall and lose hope
Your throne, O God, shall endure for ever
Your throne will last forever, O God
A scepter of justice is the scepter of your kingdom
Your kingdom is ruled with justice
Your love is for justice; your hatred for evil
You love justice and hate evil
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
God has chosen you and anointed you
With the oil of gladness above other kings
You have been anointed with joy, above other kings
Your robes are fragrant with aloes and myrrh
Your robes are fragrant with aloes and myrrh
From the ivory palace you are greeted with music
Music fills the ivory palace to welcome you
The daughters of kings are among your loved ones
The daughters of kings love you
On your right stands the queen in gold of Ophir
The queen in gold of Ophir stands to your right
Glory to the Father
Praise the Father
And to the Son
And the Son
And to the Holy Spirit
And the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning
As it was in the beginning
Is now
Is now
And will be for ever
And will be forever
Amen
Amen
Writer(s): John Michael Talbot
Contributed by Juliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.