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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.

This is the time for building the temple of the Lord

The Church The Lord’s Recovery

English1254
1
This is the time for building the temple of the Lord
That all the local churches may fully be restored.
’Tis not the time for our house while God’s house lieth waste—
O brothers, for God’s building, rise up, make haste!
 
Be strong, be strong, God’s dwelling place to build!
The Lord of hosts is with us, with His glory ’twill be filled!
Be strong, be strong, and work in one accord,
That all the nations may behold the temple of the Lord.
2
O hear, the Lord is speaking: Consider now your ways,
Ye sow and bring in little, for lacking is My praise.
Go up into the mountain, material to provide,
And build My house that I may be glorified.
3
Ye who are priests, ye remnant of Christians now obey—
The Lord Himself is with us, whatever men may say,
With spirits stirred and burning, now let us come to work;
May none his part with others in building shirk.
4
I’ll fill this house with glory, the Lord of hosts has said,
And the desire of nations will be exhibited.
Its glory will be greater than all that’s gone before,
And we will share this glory forevermore.

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Arun

Kozhencherry, Kerala, India

Jun 27, 2026

This hymn deeply touched and shepherded me. As I sang and considered its words, I realized afresh that God's heart is not merely for my individual blessing or spiritual growth, but for the building up of His house, the church, as His corporate dwelling place. The line, "'Tis not the time for our house while God's house lieth waste," especially exposed my heart and caused me to consider my ways before the Lord. How often I become occupied with my own plans and concerns while giving little attention to God's eternal purpose! I was also encouraged by the repeated exhortation to "be strong," for the Lord does not ask us to labor in our own strength; rather, He assures us, "I am with you." The hymn reminded me that every believer has a portion in God's building and that our service should issue from a spirit stirred and burning by the Lord Himself.

Above all, I was impressed that Christ is the Desire of the nations, and that through the building up of the church, He is exhibited to the whole earth.

May the Lord continue to gain in me a heart that seeks first His house and willingly cooperates with Him for the fulfillment of His eternal economy.

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Thomas Theimer

Jackson, MS, United States

Apr 22, 2023

Be Strong, Be strong and work in one accord ☝️!!!

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Isaac Simiyu

Webuye, Bungoma, Kenya

Jun 6, 2022

So touching and inspirational uni

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Nathan Reilly

Abbotsford, BC, United States

Sep 24, 2021

For all Young Ones to be built from God's speaking, through us, into New Ones, who really, what is the surpassing richness of His revelation, they are the ones is seeking for God's word and hungry and thirsty of His word, not just main doctrines, but in God's word, is plain and simple, the more we build God's speaking into New Ones, the more, New Ones, will be wanting more of God's unique word, into them, this is a crucial Vital Factors, for all of us. And for New Ones, to be saved from the snares of Satan's darts, into grace of God. Much more, we all be saved grace, for timely help, even for New people, seeking and being hungry more of God's word It's Amen the law of life.

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Steve Miller

Detroit, Michigan, United States

Mar 27, 2021

We are covering Ezra, Nehemiah and Haggai and church. We sung this song. It expresses Haggai's message well.

We changed line 2 of the first stanza to:

That the house of God on earth may fully be restored.

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Eucyl

Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, Philippines

May 19, 2017

Be strong in the Lord...:)

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