William S. Plumer’s commentary on the Psalms is a massive volume of practical divinity and an overlooked treasure. Here are five gems from his “Devotional Thoughts” on Psalm 1. All preaching and writing, which uniformly fail to draw a vigorous line between the friends and foes of God, cannot much profit men’s souls. A discriminating statement of the truths of God’s word is eminently scriptural. So we learn from the first Psalm and from all the sacred writers. Let the difference between sin and holiness, saints and sinners…
2 Corinthians 12:15 “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.” (ESV) This, certainly, was an evidence of a more than fatherly affection — that he was prepared to lay out in their behalf not merely his endeavors, and everything in his power to do, but even life itself. Nay more, while he is regarded by them with coldness, he continues, nevertheless, to cherish this affection. What heart, though even as hard as iron, would such ardor of love not soften or break, especially in connection with such constancy? Paul, however, does not here speak of himself, merely that we may admire him, but that we may, also, imitate him. Let all Pastors, therefore, learn from this, what they owe to their Churches. (John Calvin, Commentary on 2 Corinthians)