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About Numbered Notation

All steps
  1. The numbers are the notes of a scale
  2. “1=C” tells you where to start
  3. Dots make a note higher or lower
  4. How long each note lasts
  5. 0 means rest
  6. Bar lines and the time signature
  7. Curves: ties and slurs
  8. The words sit under the numbers
  9. Repeat signs and 1. 2. endings
  10. Minor keys: “6=A”
  11. Put it together: a line of a hymn
  12. Check yourself
  13. Try it on a hymn

The numbers are the notes of a scale

Numbered notation (jianpu, 简谱) writes a melody as numbers instead of notes on a staff. You do not need to read music: take one small step at a time and press Play on any example to hear it while each number lights up. Sound only starts when you press Play.

Instead of notes on a staff, each note is a number from 1 to 7. They are the seven steps of the scale you already know: do re mi fa sol la ti. After 7 the scale starts again at 1.

The seven numbers with their names. Press Play and say each name as its number lights up.
Sing along: do re mi fa sol, and back down to do.

If you can sing do re mi, you can already sing every number from 1 to 7. Tap or click any number to hear just that note.

“1=C” tells you where to start

At the top left of the sheet you will see something like 1=C. It means the number 1 (do) is the note C, and every other number counts up from there. 1=G means do is G, so the whole tune sits a little higher. Nothing else changes: the same numbers make the same shape, only higher or lower.

1=C: do is C.
1=G: the same numbers, starting higher.

Not sure where C is? On a piano it is the white key just left of the two black keys. Or ignore the letter and start on any note that is comfortable for your voice: the tune only has to keep its shape. The − and + key buttons on a hymn page shift the key for you.

Dots make a note higher or lower

A dot above a number means one octave higher. A dot below means one octave lower. Two dots mean two octaves. No dot is the middle range, where most of a tune lives. The name stays the same; only the height changes.

The same number at three heights: dot below, no dot, dot above.
A tune that climbs: it starts on a low sol and ends on a high do.

How long each note lasts

Tap your foot at a steady pace: each tap is a beat. A plain number lasts one beat, so you sing a new number on every tap. Dashes, lines and dots change that.

A plain number is one beat

Four numbers, four beats: one number for each tap.

A dash holds the note longer

Each dash adds one beat. The 5 lasts two beats and the 3 lasts four.

A line underneath makes it shorter

One line is half a beat, so two underlined numbers share one beat. (Two lines are a quarter of a beat.)

A dot after makes it half as long again

A dot after a number adds half its length. The first 5 lasts a beat and a half, and the short 3 fills the rest of the second beat.

0 means rest

A 0 is silence for one beat. Keep counting and keep tapping, but do not sing. Dashes after a 0 make the silence longer, just as they hold a note longer.

Sing 1 3 5, stay quiet for one beat, then come back down. Rests light up too, so you can feel the pause.

Bar lines and the time signature

Tall lines cut the music into bars, each holding the same number of beats. The two small numbers at the start, like 4/4 or 3/4, say how many: 4/4 is four beats in every bar, 3/4 is three. The first beat of each bar is the strongest, so lean on it a little. A double line with a thick edge marks the end.

4/4: count 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4. The first beat of each bar sounds a little louder.
3/4: count 1 2 3, 1 2 3, the lilt of a waltz.

Curves: ties and slurs

A curve over numbers joins them. If it joins two of the same number, it is a tie: sing the note once and hold it for both. If it joins different numbers, it is a slur: sing them all on one syllable, gliding from one to the next.

A tie: the 5 is sung once and held across the bar line, six beats in all.
A slur: “Him” is sung on two notes, 3 then 2.

The words sit under the numbers

Each number gets one syllable, written right underneath it. A short dash after part of a word means the word carries on under the next number. If a number has nothing under it, it belongs to a curve or a dash: keep singing the syllable you are on.

Read left to right, one syllable for each number: Twin-kle, twin-kle, lit-tle star.

Repeat signs and 1. 2. endings

A bar line with two dots, :|, means go back and sing that part again, from the matching |: sign (or from the start if there is none). Sometimes the repeat has two endings. Sing ending 1. the first time; on the repeat, skip it and sing ending 2. instead.

Play it: you hear the 1. ending, the repeat, then the 2. ending. Watch the highlight jump back.

Minor keys: “6=A”

A song in a minor key, which usually sounds more serious or tender, is labeled like 6=A instead of 1=C. It means the number 6 (la) is the home note, here A. The numbers keep their usual names; the tune simply feels at home on 6 and often ends there. 6=A uses the same notes as 1=C.

It starts and ends on 6 (la), the home note. Listen to the darker colour.

Put it together: a line of a hymn

This is the first line of hymn 8, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow”, written in numbered notation. Try the slow tempo first, and sing the words as each number lights up.

1=G in 4/4. Three silent beats, then “Praise” on beat 4. The dots under 7, 6 and 5 mean those notes dip one octave lower.

Check yourself

Four quick questions, with no score and no pressure. Tap an answer to see right away why it is right or wrong. You can always try another answer.

Tap the number that is held the longest.

Tap the 5 that is one octave higher than the first 5.

What does a 0 mean?

Under 1=G, which note is the number 1?

Try it on a hymn

You opened this from a hymn that has a Numbered view, so you can try it right now.

  1. Look at the top left of the sheet: the key, such as 1=D, and the time signature, such as 3/4.
  2. Find the first number and sing it. Then follow the numbers from left to right with the words underneath, one syllable for each number. Press Play in the player to hear the recording while you follow.
  3. Letters above the numbers (C, G7) are chords for a guitarist or pianist. Ignore them while you learn the tune.
  4. To be guided, open the Learn tab and press Play. Under Display, set Learn notation to Numbered (or choose Numbered on the Lead Sheet tab first). For hymns that have numbered lines, each line of numbers scrolls into view in time with the recording while a bouncing ball follows the words; other hymns show the piano notation there. The Speed menu slows it down.

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Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious

Praise of the Lord His Glory

English140
1
Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious;
See the Man of sorrows now;
From the fight returned victorious,
Every knee to Him shall bow;
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crowns become the Victor’s brow.
2
Crown the Savior! Angels, crown Him!
Rich the trophies Jesus brings;
In the seat of pow’r enthrone Him,
While the vault of heaven rings:
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown the Savior King of kings.
3
Sinners in derision crowned Him,
Mocking thus the Savior’s claim;
Saints and angels crowd around Him,
Own His title, praise His name:
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Spread abroad the Victor’s fame.
4
Hark! those bursts of acclamation!
Hark! those loud triumphant chords!
Jesus takes the highest station;
O what joy the sight affords!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
King of kings, and Lord of lords!

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Un Hermano

Nov 8, 2025

6. To Be the Heavenly Armies Following the Faithful and True, The Word of God, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords

In the completing stage of God’s full salvation, the overcoming believers will also be the heavenly armies following Christ as the Faithful and True, The Word of God, King of kings, and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:11-21). Verse 11 says, “I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sits on it called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. ” Verse 14 goes on to speak of the overcoming believers as the armies: “The armies which are in heaven followed Him on white horses, dressed in fine linen, white and pure. ”

The overcoming believers follow Christ as “Faithful and True. ” Christ will be faithful in destroying AntiChrist and true in carrying out God’s economy.

As the One who defeats AntiChrist, Christ is called “The Word of God” (v. 13). The Word of God is the definition, explanation, and expression of God. As the Word of God, Christ speaks for God not only by imparting life as grace to God’s chosen people but also by executing God’s judgment upon AntiChrist and his followers. Even as the Lord fights, He speaks for God and expresses God. God is righteous and sovereign; He is also a God of order and cannot tolerate disorder and rebellion. As Christ fights against AntiChrist, He will declare that God is sovereign, righteous, and orderly, that God is over everyone and that He does not tolerate rebellion against His authority. Therefore, Christ’s fighting against AntiChrist will be a powerful speaking.

Revelation 19:16 says, “He has on His garment and on His thigh a name written, King of kings and Lord of Lords. ” The fact that this name will be written upon Christ’s garment and thigh indicates that it will be openly revealed and known to all. The garment signifies Christ’s attributes, especially His righteousness in His humanity, and the thigh signifies His standing strength, His stability. His title “King of kings and Lord of Lords” is exhibited in His righteousness and stability.

The Conclusion of the
New Testament: The Believers:
Message 185 (LSM)

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Un Hermano

Nov 8, 2025

9. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords Defeating AntiChrist

In Revelation 19:11-21 we see Christ as the King of kings and Lord of Lords defeating AntiChrist. Verse 11 says, “I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sits on it called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. ” Christ will be faithful in destroying AntiChrist and true in carrying out God’s economy. He will judge and fight in righteousness, even judging by fighting. When Christ comes to judge AntiChrist, AntiChrist will be utterly rebellious. Thus, there will be the need for Christ to fight to subdue this rebellion and judge it in righteousness. His judging by fighting will not only be according to righteousness but will also maintain righteousness.

As the One who defeats AntiChrist, Christ is called The Word of God (v. 13). The Word of God is the definition, explanation, and expression of God. As the Word of God, Christ speaks for God not only by imparting life as grace to God’s chosen people but also by executing God’s judgment upon AntiChrist and his followers. Even as the Lord fights, He speaks for God and expresses God. God is righteous and sovereign. He is also a God of order and cannot tolerate disorder and rebellion. As Christ fights against AntiChrist, He will declare that God is sovereign, righteous, and orderly, that God is over everyone and that He does not tolerate rebellion against His authority. Christ’s fighting against AntiChrist, therefore, will be a powerful speaking. It will tell Satan, AntiChrist, the false prophet, and the entire universe that God is sovereign and that no one can rebel against Him.

Revelation 19:15 says, “Out of His mouth proceeds a sharp sword. ” When the Lord Jesus comes to fight against AntiChrist, He will simply need to speak a word. This is the Lord’s way of fighting. Undoubtedly, AntiChrist will use the most modern weapons, but Christ will defeat him with the sharp sword, the almighty word that proceeds out of His mouth.

Revelation 19:16 tells us, “He has on His garment and on His thigh a name written, King of kings and Lord of Lords. ” The fact that this name will be written upon Christ’s garment and thigh indicates that it will be openly revealed and known to all. The garment signifies Christ’s attributes, especially His righteousness in His humanity, and the thigh signifies His standing strength, His stability. His title King of kings and Lord of Lords is exhibited in His righteousness and stability.

Revelation 19:19 speaks of Christ’s enemies: “I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war with Him who sits on the horse and with His army. ” Christ’s enemies are the beast, AntiChrist (undoubtedly including his associate, the false prophet), and the kings of the earth and their armies. The kings of the earth especially include the ten kings under AntiChrist (Rev. 17:12-14), and the armies include the two hundred million cavalry troops from the rising of the sun (Rev. 19:16 ; 16:12).

In Revelation 19:20 and 21 we see Christ’s defeat of AntiChrist and his armies. “The beast was seized, and with him the false prophet.... These two were cast alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone” (v. 20). AntiChrist and the false prophet will be the first to perish in the lake of fire. All the rest will be killed “with the sword which proceeds out of the mouth of Him who sits on the horse” (v. 21). This is Christ in the divine administration as the King of kings and the Lord of Lords defeating AntiChrist.

The Conclusion of the
New Testament: God, Christ, and the Spirit:
Message 50 (LSM)

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Joanna Smathers

Baton Rouge, LA, United States

Apr 13, 2020

Enjoying this song these days. Look ye saints!

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Steven Miller

Detroit, Michigan, United States

May 25, 2016

Reverend Thomas Kelly wrote over 700 hymns, all of them evangelical. This is one of his best. It is based on Hebrews 2:9: 'We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.' ('The Head that Once was Crowned with Thorns is Crowned with Glory Now' is considered to be Kelly's greatest hymn and is based on this same verse.)

Thomas Kelly was the son of an Irish high court judge. He took a degree from the University of Dublin, then came to London to study law at Temple. His studies included Hebrew, for which he used Romaine's Hebrew Concordance. This led him to read his Bible, which led to his conversion. His change of heart changed his life and his plans for the future. He now felt the call to the ministry, and left his law studies the same year. He was ordained in the Established Church in 1792.

Soon after Thomas Kelly was ordained, the Reverend Roland Hill was holding evangelistic services in Ireland. Kelly heard Hill and the 2 men found that they were kindred spirits. They joined together and many souls were brought to Christ through their ministry. When this fact reached the ears of the Archbishop of Dublin, he rebuked the 2 men and forbade them to preach again in his diocese. For some time Thomas Kelly had been in doubts about his associations with the Established Church. This incident clinched his decision to leave the Established Church. and join the Evangelicals.

From Roland Hill, Kelly learned the new art or "fad" of preaching in the open air and in the fields. One time, when Roland Hill was preaching to a vast crowd in the open air, a man cried out, 'Your Reverence, pray do not get so excited.' Hill answered, 'You accuse me of being too emotional. Less than 2 months ago I saw 2 men covered by a slide in a sand pit. I shouted so loudly that help came from a quarter of a mile away, and both men were rescued. No one accused me of being too emotional then. Now, when I see men and women being swept into hell without hope, I cry out, and you tell me not to get excited?'

Here is a short testimony from Kelly, 'In the course of a long life I have seen much and heard much; but nothing that I have seen or heard has made the least change in my mind as to the grand truths of the Gospel. "Other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Chris Jesus."' - Hymn Stories by Wilbur Konkel

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Colin Amey

United Kingdom

Mar 25, 2014

I love this song. It was last August. I was attending the New Wine conference in Somerset England. I had just been to the Rise, early morning bible study, came away singing this song, though we hadnt been singing it. It was a distant memory from childhood, which I believe the Holy Spirit stirred up. I knew then something of the great victory of Christ as I remembered these lines. When I got home I practised it up and led it at our service at the next opportunity. It still stirs me. Praise the name of Jesus.

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EG

United States

Nov 20, 2009

"Look ye saints the sight is glorious..." I really enjoy this hymn. It gives me the sense of victory. The Devil, that old serpent, did not realize that he was actually being judged and destroyed on the cross. Hallelujah! Our Lord Jesus, as the seed of the woman prophesied in Gen 3:15, bruised the serpents head - the destroying of Satan was carried out on the cross.

Judged there - through the Lord's death on the cross, Satan, the old serpent, was judged, cast out. That judgment will ultimately be carried out by the overcomers as the man-child, the corporate seed of the woman (Rev. 12:9).

Lord Jesus, we love You. Gain what You are after and swiftly close this age. May we be those who cooperate with You by giving You the first place. Head us up...Make us Your overcomers...even now. Hallelujah!!! Amen.

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