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.
Wisdom
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like the sand of the seashore or the drops of the rain
Or the days of eternity
Who can number these, who can explore
Heaven′s height or the depths of the sea
Before all things were created
Wisdom came to be
Which is formed in the faithful in their mother's womb
With devotion from of old
She inebriates with her finest fruit
And fills our house with food
Her garland is the fear of God
Her blossoms peace and good
The lyrics to John Michael Talbot's song "Wisdom" are about the importance of wisdom and where it comes from. The first stanza talks about how wisdom is something that comes from God and will always be with God, just like the sand of the seashore or the drops of rain. It goes on to say that the greatness of God and his wisdom cannot be fully understood by anyone, not even by measuring the heights of the heavens or the depths of the sea. The last line of the stanza says that wisdom came into being before anything else.
The second stanza talks about the beginning of wisdom, which is having a deep respect and fear of God. This fear of God is something that is formed in the faithful from the moment they are in their mother's womb. The rest of the stanza talks about how wisdom fills us up like food and that the fruits of wisdom include peace and goodness. The fear of God is also described as a garland of wisdom's blossoms.
Overall, the song is about how wisdom is something that is given to us by God and is meant to guide us through our lives. The fear of God is important because it helps us to follow God's path and to make good choices in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Wisdom comes from God and with God it shall remain
God is the source of all wisdom and it will always be only with Him.
Like the sand of the seashore or the drops of the rain
Wisdom is vast and abundant, like the sand and the raindrops.
Or the days of eternity
Wisdom is eternal and will last forever.
Who can number these, who can explore heaven's height or the depths of the sea
No one can fully comprehend the vastness and depth of God's wisdom.
Before all things were created wisdom came to be
God's wisdom has always existed even before the beginning of creation.
The beginning of Wisdom is the awesome fear of God
The fear of God is where true wisdom begins.
Which is formed in the faithful in their mother's womb
True wisdom is instilled in the faithful from the beginning of their life.
With devotion from of old
Wisdom is gained through a lifelong devotion and relationship with God.
She inebriates with her finest fruit
Wisdom is fulfilling and satisfying, like the finest fruits.
And fills our house with food
Wisdom enriches our lives and provides us with sustenance.
Her garland is the fear of God
The fear of God is the crown of wisdom.
Her blossoms peace and good
Wisdom leads to peace and goodness in our lives.
Writer(s): John Michael Talbot
Contributed by Mia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.