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About Numbered Notation

Numbered Notation (also called Jianpu, 简谱) writes each melody note as a number from 1 to 7 instead of a note on a staff. The number shows the note's position in the song's scale -- not its exact pitch -- so the same tune looks identical no matter what key it's sung in.

Within one octave, the numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 correspond to the familiar do re mi fa sol la ti. A dot above a number raises it an octave higher; a dot below lowers it an octave lower -- no dot means the middle, as-written octave.

A plain number lasts one beat. A dash (-) right after a number holds that same note for one more beat. A line underneath a number shortens it instead -- one line is half a beat, two lines a quarter of a beat. A 0 is a rest: silence for one beat.

The label at the top of the sheet, like "1=C" or "1=Ab", shows which pitch scale degree 1 ("do") is tuned to. A song in a minor key is labeled "6=X" instead -- scale degree 6 ("la") is the true tonic. Chord names printed above the notes (like "C" or "G7") always use their familiar letter names, never numbers.

For example, under a "1=C" heading, the numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 sound as C D E F G A B. Under a "1=G" heading, those very same numbers sound as G A B C D E F# instead -- same shape, different key.

If I gained the world, but lost the Savior

Gospel General

New Tunes1079
1
If I gained the world, but lost the Savior,
Were my life worth living for a day?
Could my yearning heart find rest and comfort
In the things that soon must pass away?
If I gained the world, but lost the Savior,
Would my gain be worth the lifelong strife?
Are all earthly pleasures worth comparing
For a moment with a Christ-filled life?
2
Had I wealth and love in fullest measure,
And a name revered both far and near,
Yet no hope beyond, no harbor waiting,
Where my storm-tossed vessel I could steer;
If I gained the world, but lost the Savior,
Who endured the cross and died for me,
Could then all the world afford a refuge,
Whither, in my anguish, I might flee?
3
O what emptiness!—without the Savior
’Mid the sins and sorrows here below!
And eternity, how dark without Him!
Only night and tears and endless woe!
What, though I might live without the Savior,
When I come to die, how would it be?
O to face the valley’s gloom without Him!
And without Him all eternity!
4
O the joy of having all in Jesus!
What a balm the broken heart to heal!
Ne’er a sin so great, but He’ll forgive it,
Nor a sorrow that He does not feel!
If I have but Jesus, only Jesus,
Nothing else in all the world beside—
O then everything is mine in Jesus;
For my needs and more He will provide.

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Sandra Stewart

Huntsville, AL, United States

May 14, 2026

In my teenage years I listened to our district nurse sing that song at our church every time she had the chance to sing. I admired her passion and the attitude she displayed both in her delivery of the message as well as her personal life.

Today I experience the Savior working His will in my personal life. I understand now what I admired then. I love Him and have chosen to be faithful and true to His cause while I live and serve in all the ways I can.

I am looking forward to His soon return.

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Judah Paley

Irvine, CA, United States

Jan 1, 2026

If I gained the world but lost the Savior, my life is not worth living a day.

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Anonymous

Jun 25, 2025

Amen the Lord Jesus is all we have.

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Mark Sv

Crossville, TN, United States

May 20, 2025

I have always loved this hymn and think it is a great accompaniment in the preaching of the gospel.

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Anonymous

May 7, 2025

Heaven is going to be so worth all the troubles we have gone through in this world..... This song has been ringing in my heart endlessly. Oh to see the beautiful face of my saviour some day! Amen!

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James Smith

Mansfield, Ohio, United States

Feb 24, 2024

What a deep song but fundermental to all Christians. Praise the Lord I was raised in the church where Christ was number one. Now I’m retired and really am thankful I hung on to Him. It was always my choice. “Oh the joy of having all in Jesus! What a balm the broken heart to heal”. I’m sure I don’t have all in Jesus yet, but He has gained me. “Oh what emptiness without my Savior”. I see this in many people around me. Satan’s biggest lie is that the things of this world will satisfy. “If I gained the world and lost my Savior…” I still must think of this today. The world is so close.

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Claire

Madison, WI, United States

Jun 26, 2023

O the joy of having all in Jesus!
What a balm the broken heart to heal!
Ne’er a sin so great, but He’ll forgive it,
Nor a sorrow that He does not feel!
Jesus Lord, we love You!

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Anonymous

Jun 25, 2023

Amen... If I gained the world, but lost the Savior,
Were my life worth living for a day?
Could my yearning heart find rest and comfort
In the things that soon must pass away?
If I gained the world, but lost the Savior,
Would my gain be worth the lifelong strife?
Are all earthly pleasures worth comparing
For a moment with a Christ-filled life?

Read more
Lane

Austin, TX, United States

May 15, 2023

"For whoever wants to save his soul-life shall lose it; but whoever loses his soul-life for My sake, this one shall save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world but loses or forfeits himself?" (Luke 9:24-25)

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Ian

United States

Jan 22, 2023

O the joy of having all in Jesus!
What a balm the broken heart to heal!
Ne’er a sin so great, but He’ll forgive it,
Nor a sorrow that He does not feel!
If I have but Jesus, only Jesus,
Nothing else in all the world beside—
O then everything is mine in Jesus;
For my needs and more He will provide!

Read more