Psalm 23a

What does it take write an epic song?

Historically, the Hebrew Bible contains many historically enduring compositions. Psalm 23 is perhaps the most well-known. The famous opening line is “The Lord is my shepherd.”

The Psalm, traditionally recited at funerals and memorial services, connects with people in that moment of reflection and grief. No irony is lost that a song about death has remained alive for thousands of years. How did this song have such staying power?

As a music lover, I find it rare that songs older than 200 years ago can exist within the human psyche absent classical music.

In 2003, Warren Zevon, however, penned a masterpiece. He recorded a song which I believe which will may never be forgotten. One could arguably entitle his song Psalm 23a.

Psalm 23, has been attributed to David. While not every Psalm was written by the Poet King, there is good reason to believe that David played a role with 23. The Psalm speaks of dying and what lays ahead.

David, as documented in scripture, faced with contemplating his mortality. In the end, he relinquished his crown to his son as he suffered from medical conditions. Thus, David’s mindset near the end of his life would have been capable of composing this haunting poem.

Psalm 23’s theme of dying has made it an appropriate offering at religious funerals. Those reciting the psalm likely see it as a sendoff to where their loved and departed are going. It captures a person’s existential journey coming to the end.

The great Warren Zevon, like David, confronted death. With a diagnosis of inoperable lung cancer, Mr. Zevon moved forward to record a final album, The Wind. He penned and performed the song “Keep Me In Your Heart”.

Unlike the Poet King, Mr. Zevon was not staring forward towards his pending demise. Rather, he and his co-writer Jorge A. Calderon contemplated a different moment in the process. Their moment upon which someone taking a look back towards their loved ones as they are walking in the valley of the shadow of death. The person pondered as to whether their memory would remain in the real world.

Thus, while David richly imagines what he will see in front of him, Mr. Zevon contemplates what is to be left behind. As such, he implores his loved ones to keep him in their heart.

Zevon’s realization is at the time when the “shadows are falling” and he is “running out of breath.” He challenges his loved ones to have memories of him as they experience the little things in life. He hopes that they can move forward with just a little solace, a little bit of pain.

The song’s sincerity and truth rivals Psalm 23. Many who listen to this song are likely to request that it be played at either their or their loved one’s funerals. The song’s brilliant words and the melodies gently evoke pain and tears at a time when there should be pain and tears. The words can easily be understood as the deceased sending the message back to their loved ones that everything will be ok. Life will go on.

In the end, this song is a testament that the greatest of songwriting comes from confronting some of life’s unpleasant realities. Mr. Zevon’s catalogue is worthy of a listen. He offers two other special songs.

Be well!!

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