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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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Rev. Nutan Suray

Leicester, Leicestershire, United Kingdom

Nov 3, 2011

Thank you very much indeed for this hymn. I have enjoyed it very much. Is it possible to have the music for it? God bless you in your ministry.

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Fadzai Fudzai

Robben Island, South Africa

Oct 30, 2011

Learned this song at a Family Life Sernmina-SDA conducted by Pastor Festas Nhari. His sermons where he preached of forgivenss and reinstatement and forgivenss and reconciliation. Singing this song as a theme song made me relaise the magnitude and broad of God's love. It will be my song forever more.

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Ron Wallace

Medford, Oregon, United States

Oct 11, 2011

This song "The Love of God" is such a thoughtful expression of brief yet powerful truth. I can't say how long I have known the song. But just when needed most it has long been an aid to focus my attention toward our precious Lord. May God richly bless every listener and or reader of this famous old hymn.

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Judi Jemson

Columbus, OH, United States

Oct 4, 2011

I love this hymn because my beloved parents always sang it to me all my life. It's precious to me just like my Saviour that they led me to and just like them! Verse three always makes me cry! Hallelujah!! Singing it to my dear husband of 29 years now.... Oh, how glorious the Love of God!!!

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Stephanie Stover

Bethlehem, PA, United States

Aug 6, 2011

I was not familiar with this hymn, but I really like the music and the words. I find them very moving. Thank you for sharing it!

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Janet Watkins

Gainesville, GA, United States

May 19, 2011

Of all the songs ever written this song has touched my life more than words can say. It has ministered to me in my weakest moments and has touched me in my most joyful times. His love is immeasurable. It truly goes to the lowest hell but it still reaches to the highest star. It has in my life!

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Michael Harrison

Kington, St. Andrew, Jamaica

Apr 11, 2011

This song evokes tears of gratitude and amazement each time I hear it. Its poetic lines engave a poignant message on my mind and heart of the extent of God's love to have given us earth and though we have spoiled it terribly He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to remind us of His love and the way He wants us to live...real life...not the 'dying' kind of life. The last stanza ultimately describes how fledgling and vain our attempt to capture in words, the wonder, the sacrificial meaning and the definitive extent of God's love would be. It can only be summed up against the image of Christ's cross! That God would rip apart something of Himself...of His unsurpassable deity...His Son...whose name is the song of heaven...whose brightness and glory outs the sun's light...could come to a sorry earth and disgracefully allow His creation to mistreat Him...The thrill of it is ineffable! Oh may I live my life in the full awareness of the depth of God's love and mercy intertwined in presenting mankind, His beloved creation, the plan of salvation.

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Hobert Adams

Monroeville, Ohio, United States

Feb 20, 2011

No greater love, than the love of God. No greater song than the love of God. No greater God than what this song talks about. This song is also a testimony of the love of God. God bless you all.

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Emmanuel

Abuja, Nigeria

Oct 24, 2010

This song is just too rich. How incomprehensive is the love of God. We must operate in His love to win the lost world.

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Wm

BK, CA, United States

Aug 2, 2010

How we need to appreciate our dear brothers in the 19th century (1801-1900). Their endeavor to experience Christ was so amazing and powerful. It continues to speak in these days. This hymn always reminds me of John 3:16: for God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that every one who believes into Him would not perish, but would have eternal life.

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