Hebrew Word Study – Before Me – Lapanai  לפנו  Lamed Pei Nun Vav

Psalms 23:5: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

God prepares this table before the Psalmist.  In the Hebrew this seems a little backward.  The word before is lapanai which can mean before but it is rooted in the word pani which is a word for one’s presence. Then the word presence in Hebrew is neged which means being the opposite, speaking up against someone or something.

This table that is being prepared is indicating that the presence of the Psalmist is confronting not only those who are threatening to invade his country but also those who are opposing him and speaking against him. They are the opposite of all that the Psalmist stands for and believes.  This indicates not just a physical threat to his life but an ideological threat as well.

As a king, the Psalmist would continually face ideological opposition among his staff and counselors. As in any relationship, business, friendship, or marital, there is always the threat of differences of opinions and beliefs that could threaten to destroy that relationship.  In the next chapter, I will discuss the word for enemy which could mean both a national enemy or someone that you just hate or hates, you. There are siblings who hate each other,  marriages where couples actually hate each other, and business relationships filled with hate. Hate is the enemy’s playground.  

One of the key reasons a relationship collapses is because the two parties will not or do not confront each other and talk over their differences and seek a resolution to their differences.  As a result, the differences start to magnify and the two individuals become more and more alienated.  Worse yet, they start talking behind each other’s backs. Whispering all the negative things about the person who has become an enemy and turning those people against them.  The whole thing snowballs into an almost outright war where neither will speak to the other and the enemy declares a victory in having completely destroyed a relationship that could have brought much honor and joy to God.  It happens among siblings, in marriages, in business, and between countries.

The lack of the willingness to communicate is the basis of most wars and conflicts.  Often the lack of willingness to communicate is rooted in fear.  The fear of being proven wrong, the fear of loss of pride, the fear of having to admit to mistakes or failure. 

This is why God prepares a table “before” or in the presence of the Psalmist.  Many times it takes a third party to bring the two feuding parties together.  They must come together, each facing each other personally with their presence. You could do it in writing or send an intermediator but the most effective resolution is to show up personally. It takes courage and humility to come together personally to discuss one’s differences and the easiest thing to do is to just ignore the problem hoping it goes away and/or even going to war. 

Of course, I am not sharing any new or profound wisdom. This is something we all know and are taught throughout our lives.  It comes as no surprise to anyone that the best solution to the conflict is to meet in person with a desire to resolve a conflict and a willingness to discuss one’s differences and be open to compromise. It is the very basis of society and civilization.  It is the root of resolution to all conflicts and it is wrapped up in those two words lapanai, to be in one’s presence, and the word negad to be willing to speak and confront issues of conflict. 

We also know, all too well, that is so hard and everything within you longs to just ignore the problem, put off the confrontation and wait it out hoping things will improve on their own. The Psalmist was no different, he hated confrontation just as much as we do today and sometimes it takes an act of God to prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies or more accurately a table in your presence before your accusers. 

The Psalmist found no shame in saying “he preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”  Basically, he is admitting that he is too fearful to bring this confrontation about or that he just does not have the ability to bring his presence before his enemies. He is in over his head. He has to admit that the only hope he has of resolution with his enemies is for God to bring them together so they can work out a peaceful resolution.  

Are you in conflict with a family member, spouse, or business associate and you are unable to confront the other party either of an unwillingness on the part of yourself or the other? Maybe you feel you are just in over your head in this conflict and resolution is impossible. Never forget that God is just as anxious as you are to resolve the conflict and that there is no shame in going to Him and pleading with Him to prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemy. 

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