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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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Abe Francisco

Quezon, Manila, Philippines

Feb 7, 2015

Daytoy ti samiweng a di pulos agkupas ti kinapudnona. Pudno a naindaklan ti kinamanagayat ti Apo a DIOS.

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Ulrich Stiem

Meine, Niedersachsen, Germany

Jan 31, 2015

So wunderschöne Worte, die die unendliche Liebe und Größe Gottes beschreiben, treffen die Mitte der Wirklichkeit Gottes in meinem Leben.

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Sphe Dlamini

Nhlangano, Shiselweni, Swaziland

Jan 22, 2015

I so much love this song, God's love is beyond measure and it knows no boundaries.

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Merry Lynn

Carthage, TN, United States

Jan 7, 2015

Wonderful meditation!

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Mary Guy P

Detroit, MI, United States

Nov 6, 2014

I love that song. I can still hear the guy from Billy Graham's crusade intoning those words. How precious is the love of God!! I couldn't remember the words never knew them all. I just wanted to meditate on the words today.

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Samuel Etuk

Calabar, Cross River, Nigeria

Sep 20, 2014

As a seaman crossing from continent to continent across the oceans, I usually wonder about the third verse of this song. I truly believe that the Love of God beyond human comprehension. May God help us realize our foolishness and surrender completely to Him.

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Mutinta Eline Habukali

Lusaka, Zambia

Sep 8, 2014

The first time I listened to this song was few years ago and even though I didn't get the words clearly back then I still loved the song. After learning the words, am now loving the song more each and everyday, the words of the song are always on my mind all day and I sing the words with greater understanding. Thank You Lord for Your great Love.

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Martha Lunda

Blantyre, Malawi

Jul 28, 2014

The first time I heard about this song was in the late 80s from my late sister who was in a boarding school and would sing it for us when she back on school holidays. I never new the song words but I could understand it is all about "how great the love of God is". Now that I know the words, which are singing to my soul, especially the first verse ......O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure—

I CAN SING IT ALL DAY!

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Petunia

Mafikeng, Northwest, South Africa

Mar 23, 2014

The song really moves me. My friends and I were singing this song at church, an it really moved the congregation. Wow, the song really touches you.

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Homer R Shaffer

Massillon, Ohio, United States

Mar 15, 2014

No other way to be near to our "GOD" then the way he gave..."JESUS" . He sends us to heal.

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