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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.

The love of God is greater far

Worship of the Father His Love

English28
1
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell.
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest hell.
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled
And pardoned from his sin.
 
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
2
When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall;
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call;
God’s love, so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
3
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Words & Music © 1923, Ren. 1951 by Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL 60188.

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Vincent Opoku Ankomah

Sunyani, Brong Ahafo, Ghana

Jan 26, 2016

Truly there is no such love than the love of God. I'm comforted by this song and give me hope and inner peace.

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John Cho

Ann Arbor, MI, United States

Jan 23, 2016

How measureless and strong the love of God.

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Mike Davis

Elkview, WV, United States

Jan 19, 2016

This song has the most perfect and beautiful words of any song I have ever heard. They fit perfectly, and they rhyme perfectly.

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Bill Swan

Penfield, NY, United States

Dec 5, 2015

When I ponder what troubles there are in this life and I pray for my loved ones, I hope they all come to know some how the LOVE Of GOD! The words and tune are so comforting!!!

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John Lewis

Bakers Hill, Western Australia, Australia

Nov 16, 2015

Needed the lyrics for church powerpoint. Bless You.

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Joselito Cua

Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur, Philippines

Nov 8, 2015

An eternal Hymn of God's love to us! So majestic and Great!

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Ronnie Luttrell

St Augustine, Florida, United States

Oct 31, 2015

When using this song for mediation and prayer, it was inspiring to see so many others had been touched by Christ's love. For over 2000 years the Holy Spirit has testified of God's love and it's marvelous in it's grace and power. To Him be all the glory!

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Rodger

Lilongwe, Malawi

Sep 2, 2015

Am so touched with this song, it's an inspiration to me and I bless the Lord for His love.

His love is measureless, it's so pure and he never dispise His children.

I feel like crying to express how He has been showing His love to me.

Indeed there's no one like Jesus Christ.

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Karen

Jul 8, 2015

I woke up several times last night with this tune "the love of God is rich and pure measureless and strong". Had to look up the song as soon as I woke up. Thank you for providing the rest of the words. God's love shall endure! Don't forget...what a friend you have in Jesus in you new location :)

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Diana

Somerset, Kentucky, United States

Jun 24, 2015

God is teaching me to worship the Father AND the Son. This is such a hymn of praise. Your comments are sweet fellowship to me as I am in a new town and have no roots here yet. Blessings!

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