Podcast Summary: "Christians Sing Differently"

Podcast: Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson
Host: Sinclair B. Ferguson (Ligonier Ministries)
Episode Date: March 26, 2026

Overview

In this devotional episode, Sinclair B. Ferguson explores how and why Christians sing differently compared to non-Christians. He reflects on the unique "vertical" dimension in Christian singing—not just singing about ourselves or to others (horizontally), but singing in the presence of God and to God Himself. Through examples both scriptural and personal, Ferguson illustrates how Christian worship transforms even the most ordinary acts of singing into expressions before God.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Christians Sing More—And Christians Sing Differently

• Frequent Singing: Christians generally sing more often than non-Christians (00:07), though with some exceptions.
• Distinctiveness: The heart of the episode isn’t just about how much Christians sing, but how differently they sing.

Horizontal vs. Vertical Singing

Horizontal Singing (00:45)

• Definition: Refers to singing directed to ourselves or to others, typical in both secular and Christian music.
• Examples:
  • Classic hymns and contemporary songs addressing the soul or fellow believers:
    • "O Thou my soul, Bless God the Lord"
    • "Bless the Lord O my soul"
    • "Come we that love the Lord..."
    • "Come people of the risen King"
• Horizontal in Christian Worship: Christians sing to themselves or others not just for its own sake, but to encourage a shift towards singing to God.

Vertical Singing (02:26)

• Distinctive Shift:
  • “But we do so to encourage both ourselves and others to sing vertically, to sing in the presence of the Lord and upwards to the Lord.” (Sinclair B. Ferguson, 02:35)
• End Goal: While songs may begin about ourselves or others, Christian worship inevitably directs hearts and voices upwards to God, concluding with praise, thanks, or supplication in His presence.

Secular vs. Christian Direction

• Secular Songs:
  • “Secular songs end that way.” (03:08) Meaning, they remain on the horizontal plane—focused on the singer, the listener, or things of this world.
• Christian Songs’ Progression:
  • “Christians are always singing upwards to God…” (03:15)
  • Even horizontal beginnings become vertical worship.

Singing in God’s Presence (Coram Deo)

• Worship Posture:
  • “You live, as we often say, coram Deo—before the face of God, in His presence. And when you do that, everything changes. And that includes the way you sing.” (05:28)
• Implication: Whether singing alone, in a group, or even a secular song, the Christian’s heart is mindful of God and oriented towards Him.

Personal Anecdote (03:50)

• Roberta Flack’s Song:
  • Ferguson shares a story related to the song "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," linking its lyrics to his memory of first meeting his wife.
• Memorable Quote:
  • "Those words have a vertical God-centered meaning to me, not simply a horizontal one." (04:48)
• Spiritual Dimension: Loving his wife was meaningful not just for her sake, but because of her relationship with the Lord; his affection is mediated through his awareness of God.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Christians sing differently.” (Sinclair B. Ferguson, 00:28)
• “When Christians sing on a horizontal plane, we don’t actually stay on that horizontal plane.” (01:55)
• “Even if we find ourselves singing exactly the same songs as non Christians, we never sing them in exactly the same way.” (03:36)
• “When you become a Christian, you live…coram Deo—before the face of God, in His presence. And when you do that, everything changes. And that includes the way you sing.” (05:28)

Useful Timestamps

• 00:07–00:45 — Christians compared to non-Christians in singing habits
• 00:46–02:25 — Horizontal aspect of Christian and non-Christian singing; psalms and contemporary song examples
• 02:26–03:50 — How Christian singing moves from horizontal to vertical; purpose and spiritual direction
• 03:51–05:05 — Personal anecdote with a secular song gaining spiritual significance
• 05:06–05:55 — Living and singing in the presence of God (coram Deo); concluding reflections

Episode Tone

Ferguson’s tone is gentle, thoughtful, and warmly pastoral, encouraging Christians to reflect more deeply on how and why they sing. His language is rooted in scriptural and theological reflection but remains accessible and immediately applicable to everyday Christian life.

For a deeper exploration of what it means to live and worship “before the face of God,” tune in to future episodes as Sinclair B. Ferguson continues this devotional series on singing.