In Psalm 115:17-18, the poet expresses a striking truth: "It is not the dead who offer praise to the Lord, those who descend into silence; rather, it is we who extol the Lord, now and forevermore. Praise be to the Lord!" Here, the poet skillfully begins with a formal critique, encapsulating the essence of the doctrine right at the start of each psalm and typically concluding with a call to rational reflection. The text emphasizes that God grants grace to the earth in alignment with natural law. The psalmist asserts that the earth possesses the inherent ability to support life, functioning under the governance of divine natural laws. Human beings, made in God's image, are meant to experience joy and fulfillment through their adherence to His commandments. However, the introduction of sin has brought about an irreversible curse of death into human life. In their misguided pursuits, people often create idols that represent death rather than life. Moreover, God has infused a sense of hope into the lives of those who find themselves in despair, actively restoring their fellowship with Him. He has meticulously ensured that all actions unfold within the boundaries of divine permission. This psalm serves as a sharp rebuke to the wicked, who twist God's law in their attempts to create false deities. Our understanding of moral authority is firmly rooted in the assurance of the perfect salvation that God granted us at the moment of our redemption. The faithful do not allow the wicked to escape accountability for their wrongdoings. Ultimately, our moral authority hinges on God's completed work, which guarantees our eternal salvation in light of His unwavering love. God established the law as a guiding framework for humanity to responsibly manage and care for the world around them. Sin, inherently destructive, inevitably leads to death, and yet people continue to create and worship lifeless idols. The earth, as portrayed in this psalm, is depicted as a place overshadowed by the reality of death. The poet conveys a deep sense of sorrow for a world tainted by the Curse, where violence and mortality seem to reign supreme. Originally, God entrusted Adam with the task of nurturing the earth, granting humanity the ability to exercise dominion over creation and to take pleasure in the beauty of the natural world. However, the entrance of sin into this design has marred it, resulting in a widespread state of corruption that ultimately leads to death. Instead of honoring their Creator, people become preoccupied with crafting inanimate statues. God has brought renewed hope to humanity through the arrival of the Messiah, who liberates them from the burden of an eternal curse. In what ways has God liberated His people? He has restored the authority of natural law, imbuing it with lasting significance. The psalmist wraps up this composition by mocking the wicked, who distort divine law to create lifeless idols. God is actively revitalizing creation through a framework of laws, stipulations, curses, promises, and covenants. Our moral authority is anchored in God's accomplished work, which diligently safeguards our eternal salvation, rooted in His enduring love. The true saint effectively holds the wicked accountable within the confines of moral laws and the consequences of their actions.