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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.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord

Assurance and Joy of Salvation A Firm Foundation

English339
1
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
2
“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.”
3
“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.”
4
“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”
5
“E’en down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And then, when grey hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.”
6
“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake!”

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Mark

Van Wert, OH, United States

Sep 29, 2026

I love this hymn and am empowered by its words and promises. I need to be "refined" and it hurts - anything but comfortable... but Lord Jesus it brings me to you so I thank you, Father

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Teresa

Tahlequah, OK, United States

Sep 12, 2026

Oh how true, the Word of God is our firm foundation, Hallelujah! 🙌🏼 But the soundtrack is "Oh Come Let Us Adore Him" 🤔

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Lia Mowery

Boonton, NJ, United States

Aug 13, 2026

I return again and again to this most excellent hymn. It is full of grace, cheer and gladness in the LORD.

Remember, He speaks: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you." - Isaiah 43:2

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Grace John

Imo, Other, Nigeria

Jun 6, 2026

Came back to this hymn and saw my comment from last year when I first discovered the song.

And I realised that the distress I had at the time is no more.

I’m in a bit of a situation now again, but I know I’ll come back again and see this comment and realise that this situation too is no more.

Truly truly “many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivereth him from them all “

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Johanna

United States

Dec 25, 2025

Hallelujah!

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Carolyn

Okemos, MI, United States

Oct 21, 2025

This song came to me powerfully as a message of comfort and support after our first child was born and died a week later. The message has been a part of my life for many years

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Ian Aine

Kampala, Uganda

Sep 15, 2025

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,

I will not, I will not desert to his foes..

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Grace John

Imo, Other, Nigeria

Aug 6, 2025

Found this hymn after a devotional titled Job A Man Tried As Gold.

And this hymn perfectly tells me that God never forsook Job despite the times when it seemed so

It assures me that even now, despite the distress I'm experiencing in this period of time, God has not forsaken me.

And soon He will come through for me. Amen

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Daniel

Lae, Papua New Guinea

May 20, 2025

Amen... very meaningful song.. tears rolling down from my eyes as I sing, it reminds me of a terrible situation that I've been going through. I had a brain disease for almost 3 years but God was with me... Now I realize that trials and sickness are not degin to harm us but to purify and refine us.

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Gregg Beecher

Aztec, NM, United States

May 13, 2025

I was reminded of this song, as my wife and I have been in a prolonged trial.

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine. ”
I need to be reminded of that today! Thank you Jesus!

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