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 62
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In Him comes my salvation
He only is my Rock
My strength and my salvation
My stronghold my Savior
I shall not be afraid at all
My stronghold my Savior
Only in God is found safety
When the enemy pursues me
Only in God is found glory
When I am found meek and found lowly
My stronghold my Savior
I shall not be afraid at all
My stronghold my Savior
I shall not be moved
Only in God is my soul at rest
In Him comes my salvation
The lyrics to John Michael Talbot's song Psalm 62 portray a sense of complete surrender and trust towards God. The singer acknowledges that only in God is his soul at rest and his salvation found. He recognizes that God is the only steadfast and unchanging rock foundation that can give him strength and security, even in the midst of adversity. This sense of security and trust is repeated throughout the song with the lines "My stronghold my Savior, I shall not be afraid at all. I shall not be moved."
Furthermore, the song emphasizes that only in God can we find safety and glory. When the enemy pursues us, it is only in God that we can find shelter and protection. Similarly, when we humble ourselves before God, we can find glory and honor through Him. This recognition of God's power, protection, and glory leads the singer to affirm his complete trust and reliance on God.
Line by Line Meaning
Only in God is my soul at rest
My soul can only find true peace and rest in God
In Him comes my salvation
The only way I can be saved is through God
He only is my Rock
God is the only stable and unchanging foundation in my life
My strength and my salvation
God is my source of strength and the one who saves me
My stronghold my Savior
God is my place of protection and the one who rescues me
I shall not be afraid at all
With God as my stronghold, I don't have to be afraid of anything
I shall not be moved
Because God is my foundation and protector, I won't be shaken or moved by anything
Only in God is found safety
The only place I can truly be safe is in God's presence
When the enemy pursues me
In times of trouble and attack from enemies, God is my refuge
Only in God is found glory
When I humble myself and rely on God, His glory is revealed in my life
When I am found meek and found lowly
When I am humble and submit myself to God's will, His power is made known
Writer(s): John Michael Talbot
Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.