In the years that followed the occupation of the Promised Land, the beneficent designs of Jehovah for the salvation of the heathen were almost wholly lost sight of, and it became necessary for Him to set forth His plan anew. "All the ends of the world," the psalmist was inspired to sing, "shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee." "Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God." "The heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory." "This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. For He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; to declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem; when the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord." Psalms 22:27; 68:31; 102:15, 18-22. 371

Da Israel havde taget Det forjættede Land i besiddelse, glemte de næsten fuldstændig Herrens nådige beslutning om at frelse hedningerne, og Herren var nødt til at forelægge dem sin plan på ny. Salmisten blev inspireret til at synge: "Den vide jord skal mærke det og omvende sig til Herren, og alle folkenes slægter skal tilbede for hans åsyn." "De kommer med olie fra Ægypten, ætioperne iler til Gud med fulde hænder." "Herrens navn skal folkene frygte, din herlighed alle jordens konger." "For efterslægten skal det optegnes, et folk, der skal fødes, skal prise Herren; thi han ser ned fra sin hellige højsal, Herren skuer ned fra Himmel til jord for at høre de fangnes stønnen og give de dødsdømte frihed, at Herrens navn kan forkyndes i Zion, hans pris i Jerusalem, når folkeslag og riger til hobe samles for at tjene Herren." Sl. 22,28; 68,32; 102,16. og 19-23.