The article mentions “Hurt”; I’m surprised it doesn’t mention “The Man Comes Around”, from the same CD, which Cash said was the hardest song he ever wrote.
That is my favorite Cash song. It's absolutely haunting and clearly written by a man staring death in the face. Virtually every lyric is straight out of the bible and focuses on the book of Revelation. As soon as I heard it for the first time I immediately downloaded it and probably listened to it hundreds of times over the next week. I just couldn't get it out of my head.
I think Kris Kristoferson wrote “Sunday Morning Coming Down”. Johnny sang this song and it shows both sides of man. One of my favorites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9IfHDi-2EA
Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around