This Befell Us (Pslam 44) John Michael Talbot

Sometimes bad things happen, even when we "do everything right." I heard the song "This Befell Us" several years ago on John Michael Talbot's CD recording, Simple Heart. I found it to be a moving and honest cry that comes from all of us at some point in our life if we dare to be honest. Here the psalmist teaches us that it is alright to question God and to bring our case before him.

This Befell Us (Psalm 44)

By John Michael Talbot

Chorus:

This befell us though we had not forgotten 
Though we never had been false to Your word 
Though our hearts had not withdrawn their longing 
Though our minds had not strayed from Your word 

 You have crushed us to the place of sorrow 
Covered up with the shadow of death 
You make us like the sheep for the slaughter 
And scattered us among the nations of the earth 

(Repeat Chorus) 

You continue to reject and disgrace us 
No longer seen to dwell with us 
You make us now the taunt of our neighbors 
The laughingstock of all who draw near 

(Repeat Chorus) 

All day long my disgrace is before me 
My face is now covered with shame 
This befell us though we had not forsaken 
We had not been false to Your name 

Awake O Lord, why do You sleep and slumber 
Arise O Lord, do not reject us again A
wake O Lord, hide not Your face

Stand up O Lord and come to our aid

 -

Brother Sun and Sister Moon (John Michael Talbot)

Last week (October 4) was the Feast Day for St. Francis of Assisi. Many churches had their annual "Blessing of the Pets" in honor of this saint, poet, rebuilder, and quiet revolutionary. "Canticle of the Sun" is one of his most famous poems. "All Creatures of our God and King" is one of his poems that has been set to music and sung in churches of all denominations. (Francis was one of the first Italian poets to write in the vernacular Italian rather than in Latin, which was the "language of learning" of his day).

In 1981, in honor of the 800th anniversary of Francis' birth, singer/songwriter John Michael Talbot issued a double album of songs based on the writings and favorite scripture passages of St. Francis. "Brother Sun and Sister Moon" is one of those songs that highlights the saints love for God and reverence for nature.

   

 -

The Lilies of the Field (John Michael Talbot)

"The Lilies of the Field" first appeared on the double album, Troubadour of the Great King, a tribute to St. Francis of Assisi.

 

-

Holy Darkness

As we wait during Advent

"As we await you,

O God of silence

We embrace your holy night"

  -

The Pleiades and Orion (John Michael Talbot)

John Michael Talbot is a contemporary songwriter who became a lay brother in the Franciscan Order in the Catholic Church and later founded the order of The Brothers and Sisters of Charity. "The Pleiades and Orion" was recorded in 1981 on the double album, Troubadour of the Great King, on the occasion of the 800th birthday of St. Francis of Assisi. The text for the song is based upon Amos 5:8.

 

This Befell Us

Sometimes bad things happen, even when we "do everything right." I heard the song "This Befell Us" several years ago on John Michael Talbot's CD recording, Simple Heart. I found it to be a moving and honest cry that comes from all of us at some point in our life if we dare to be honest. Here the psalmist teaches us that it is alright to question God and to bring our case before him. I thought this would be a good meditation during the Lenten season. I don't know the visual artist, Debbie Heys, but I am glad she has made this Talbot recording available on You Tube. (Scroll down if you want to read the lyrics)

 

This Befell Us (Psalm 44)

By John Michael Talbot

Chorus:

This befell us though we had not forgotten
Though we never had been false to Your word
Though our hearts had not withdrawn their longing
Though our minds had not strayed from Your word

You have crushed us to the place of sorrow
Covered up with the shadow of death
You make us like the sheep for the slaughter
And scattered us among the nations of the earth

(Repeat Chorus)
You continue to reject and disgrace us
No longer seen to dwell with us
You make us now the taunt of our neighbors
The laughingstock of all who draw near

(Repeat Chorus)
All day long my disgrace is before me
My face is now covered with shame
This befell us though we had not forsaken
We had not been false to Your name

Awake O Lord, why do You sleep and slumber
Arise O Lord, do not reject us again
Awake O Lord, hide not Your face
Stand up O Lord and come to our aid