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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.

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Life at best is very brief

Gospel Persuasion

English1043
1
Life at best is very brief,
Like the falling of a leaf,
Like the binding of a sheaf,
Be in time!
Fleeting days are telling fast
That the die will soon be cast,
And the fatal line be passed,
Be in time!
 
Be in time! Be in time!
While the voice of Jesus calls you,
Be in time!
If in sin you longer wait,
You may find no open gate,
And your cry be just too late:
Be in time!
2
Fairest flowers soon decay,
Youth and beauty pass away;
O you have not long to stay,
Be in time!
While God’s Spirit bids you come,
Sinner, do not longer roam,
Lest you seal your hopeless doom,
Be in time!
3
Time is gliding swiftly by,
Death and judgment draweth nigh,
To the arms of Jesus fly,
Be in time!
O I pray you count the cost!
Ere the fatal line be crossed,
And your soul in hell be lost,
Be in time!
4
Sinner, heed the warning voice,
Make the Lord your final choice,
Then all heaven will rejoice,
Be in time!
Come from darkness into light;
Come, let Jesus make you right;
Come, receive His life tonight,
Be in time!

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Harrison Udo

Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria

Nov 3, 2025

Life is certainly brief
It's just like a vapour.
Just as when vapour escaped
As the lid of a pot is opened
And cannot be held back
So is life when someone breathes his last.

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Un Hermano

United States

Apr 23, 2025

WHAT IS LIFE?

First, we will see what life is. In order to know life, we must know what life is. It is rather difficult to explain; hence, we really need the mercy of the Lord. According to the teaching of the Bible, at least six points should be mentioned in order to make this subject clear.

ONLY THE LIFE OF GOD BEING LIFE

When explaining what life is, we must first be clear about one thing—the kind of life in the universe that can be counted as life. First John 5:12 says, “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. ” John 3:36 also says, “He who believes into the Son has eternal life; but he who disobeys the Son shall not see life. ” These two verses tell us that unless man has the life of God, he does not have life. This shows that in the eyes of God, only His life is life; besides that, no other life can be counted as life. Thus, when the life of God is mentioned in the Bible, it is treated as if it is the unique life (1:4; 10:10; 11:25; 14:6; etc. ).

Only the life of God is life, and other lives are not counted as life, because only the life of God is divine and eternal.

The Knowledge of Life

Chapter 1 (LSM)

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Benjamin Ezieshi

Lagos, Nigeria

Nov 23, 2024

Ps. 39 vs 4-6 life is a shadow and Brief indeed and we can't take anything away. Let us live for God today as that's all that matters and can stand

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Jesse Bajehson

Kaduna, Nigeria

Oct 2, 2024

Indeed life at best is very brief. We need to put ourselves in order.

Help me Lord to end well, Amen.

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Anonymous

Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Jul 31, 2024

This song is reminding you and l that the time is short, therefore prepare to meet our LORD JESUS CHRIST 🙏

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Peter Ongong'A

Ogembo, Kisii County, Kenya

Mar 23, 2024

I love the song... it's has been our theme song today.... May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy spirit be with us now and forever more... Amina

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Mary Nzisa

Naivasha, Nakuru, Kenya

Dec 28, 2023

I have love this song since childhood. I sung it in my church as a youth. The lyrics are old yet ever new!

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Sands Jerry

Lome, Maritime, Togo

Dec 1, 2023

I remember, more than 30 years ago as I young man, I attended the AG church 84 Ohanku Rd Aba, and the choir did a glorious rendition of this piece and the congregation gave such an earth shaking applause.

I remember the pastor got vexed and hushed everyone down, reminding us that it's a song about the impending judgement of God and we were applauding. Then I think he asked how many of us were ready should the judgement fall at the very moment. The church became as silent as.... and before you knew with, cries from every angle as everyone saw his/her self

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Thongbor Mading Lang

Nairobi, Turkana, Kenya

Jun 3, 2023

This is too emotional for me! 😭😭😭😭

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Kwesi

Ghana

Jan 10, 2023

Beautiful tune, powerful words! A great reminder of the reality of all mankind - the inevitability of death and God's judgment. May God help us to live for Him and may we be found worthy to live with Him forever in heaven.

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