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According to an article, the 23rd Psalm has become one of the best known of the Psalms because of the
comfort it provides at funerals up and down the land. This paper aims to analyze the popular verse using
two tenets and see if it can be considered as a very good type of verse.

The discussion will be divided into four parts:

1.p èeneral analysis of the verse
2.p Criticism using Horace¶s tenets
3.p Criticism using Longinus¶ tenets
4.p Wrap up/ Conclusion
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Psalm 23rd tells about a person who has found the sense of contentment on the presence of èod. He
narrated how he found this happiness in the opening lines, which is by entrusting himself fully to èod.
Along the road of life, he said that he might meet obstacles but still assured of being safe thru èod. At the
end, he firmly stands to his belief that he will be in good hands eternally because he has been guided and


touched by èod.
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To be able to analyze the version, allow me to use the following which are considered as Horace¶s guide in
analyzing a literary piece:
1.p ³in medias res´
2.p "bonus dormitat Homerus"
3.p Concept of ³Turgidity´
4.p Dulce et Utile

6p "in medias res", or "into the middle of things"; this describes a popular narrative technique that appears
frequently in ancient epics and remains popular to this day

Though this may not apply directly to the verse, for this tenet is particularly visible in narratives (short story,
novel, etc.), the verse has this characteristic, to illustrate:
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The line, expressed on a present tense is an indicator that the event started into the middle of things.
Similarly, the line:
     is an indicator that the speaker expresses a
situation or belief that he has in the present.
Compared to other literary pieces, like Oedipus Rex which started in the beginning (the birth of Oedipus), or
the Odyssey (the birth of Odysseus as well), Psalm 23 started in the middle.

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The line is a transition from the present to a future situation.

6p "bonus dormitat Homerus" or "good Homer nods"; an indication that even the most skilled poet can
make continuity errors

As we can see, the verse has selected words and lacks some transitional devices. If read on a layman¶s
eye, paying particular attention to the grammar and syntax one visible error that we can see on the verse is
that, the tense of verb do not agree at all because no transitional device was used to help the reader
establish a vivid picture of the transition from one time to another.

Starting in the middle, the lines must have had present a part to guide the reader that the line is already
moving to future. Moreover, after using the future tense, indicating future thoughts, the line flashed once
more to the past.


This implies that the poet had continuity error.

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6p The concept of ³turgidity´
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Looking at the verse generally, the choice of words is simple and comprehensible. This indicates that the
concept of preventing turgidity has been achieved.

6p Dulce et Utile, which implies that a poem should have sweetness, delight and pleasure (Dulce),
accompanied by use, purpose or instruction (Utile), has been very much achieved by the verse.

The popularity of the verse is a proof that it has Dulce and Utile.

Dulce ± as we read the verse, we may feel relaxation, as if our spirits are being uplifted. The underlined
parts of the lines below are only few of the parts which prove that the poem gives delight. This verse
appeals most to people who are seeking brightness, mostly in the midst of darkness.

       

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Utile ± the fact that the verse came from the bible gives us an assurance that it serves a purpose; to teach
us moral values like believing in èod, salvation, and tracking the path of righteousness.
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      /
 


In analyzing Psalm 23 using Longinus¶ tenets, the following will be used as a guide:
1) "grandeur of thought"
2) "vehement and inspired passion"
3) "the use of figures"
4) "noble diction"
5) "dignified and elevated arrangement of words"

6pèrandeur of thought

Known as the power of forming great conceptions is visible in the verse. The proof is that the words used
are very powerful and seems like carefully chosen. Simple as it is, but the use of compound statements
indicated by the conjunction ³and´ shows that there is this smooth and natural flow of ideas in the writer, as
if the words are from the heart and mind.
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6prehement and inspired passion

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The words above which are showing extremity and superlative-like in forms, show that the writer has
conviction or intense feeling. This can be felt by the reader upon the lines, wherein what you would feel is
the same passion and emotions that the writer is feeling, when he was writing the verse.

6pThe use of figures

The following are some of the figures of speech in the verse:

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1 Lord is indirectly compared to a shepherd who leads the way

1the pronoun ³He´ was constantly repeated on the lines (5 times)



 - the pronoun ³you´ (3x) and ³your´

[repetition of the pronouns he and you/your indicates that the writer is referring
to èOD]



       


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- repeating the word or phrase by replacing it with something else such as a
pronoun, known as anaphora is seen in the verse obviously - the pronoun ³he´
refers back to the first line: The LORD is my shepherd
- the pronoun ³his´ refers back to the ³he´ on the same line, referring back to
³Lord´ in the first line

-the verse uses many words to describe what the writer feels and the use of
2 complex/compound idea in the lines is presented, as mentioned in the


grandeur of thought.
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6p[oble Diction

Words are carefully chosen by the writer to achieve emotional effect. The choice of words is applicable to
the context, for we know that the verse came from the bible, thus the words are suited to where it has been
printed.

Ô  $  ( 0 this line indicates the nobility on the side of the writer, he may write
³Satan´ instead, but opt to choose the word ³evil´ for he probably realize that it is better it use the latter
rather than the former.

6pDignified and elevated arrangement of words

The verse seems linear in style for it uses this present to future shift. This is indicated by the use of verbs
which followed a definite pattern in the tenses: present tense going to future tense.

On the other hand, the writer seems to follow a cyclical pattern, as indicated by the following:

Line One: uses ³

 3 to refer to èod (3rd person,named)

Lines 3-6: uses ³He´/´His´ to refer to èod (3rd person, unnamed)

Lines 9-10, 12-13: uses ³You´/´your´ to refer to èod (2nd person, unnamed)

Line 16: uses

 3 to refer to èod again (3rd person,named)

-  4

Upon criticizing the [ew International rersion of Psalm 23, I was able to see almost all the tenets
suggested by Horace and Longinus. Comparing both tenets, Longinus¶ system of belief applies more in this
version of Psalm 23. These analyses apply only to this version and may or may not be applicable to other
versions, since we have around 30 versions.

As a final remark, Horace and Longinus¶ tenets have commonalities and differences, but both may be used
in criticizing literary pieces, particularly poetries.

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