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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.

I know not why God’s wondrous grace

Assurance and Joy of Salvation Secured by Divine Provisions

English333
1
I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.
 
But “I know Whom I have believed
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”
2
I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His word
Wrought peace within my heart.
3
I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.
4
I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.
5
I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noon-day fair,
Nor if I’ll walk the vale with Him,
Or “meet Him in the air.”

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Sylvia Magezi

Kampala, Uganda

Dec 17, 2012

I first heard this song in high school and have loved it since. It's really great to know that God is Able to keep that which we have committed to Him against that day, whatever it is it's in safe hands!

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Cindi Strong

Redding, California, United States

Aug 28, 2012

This hymn has been precious to me since childhood and I sang it to my children in the rocking chair. Now they are grown and their children sing it, too. Thank You, Lord! What comfort and assurance is ours through God's mighty plan in these promises!

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Pcvh

Sinacaban-Evansville

Feb 19, 2010

2 Timothy 1:12

For which cause also I suffer these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to guard my deposit unto that day.

footnote 1 : cause

The apostle suffered for a cause, a cause on the highest plane — the proclaiming of the glad tidings of the gospel of grace and life to establish the churches, and the directing of the saints. Such a cause must have been an encouragement and strengthening to Timothy as he faced the deterioration of the declining churches.

footnote 2: not

So Timothy should not have been ashamed either

footnote 3: whom

The apostle believed not a thing or a matter but a living person, Christ, the Son of the living God, who is the embodiment of divine grace and eternal life. The eternal life in Him is powerful; it is more than able to sustain to the end the one who suffers for His sake, and to preserve him for the inheritance of the coming glory. The grace in Him was more than sufficient to provide His sent one with all he needed for finishing the course of his ministry unto a reward in glory (4:7-8). Hence, He was able to guard that which the apostle had committed unto Him for the day of His return. Such an assurance must also have been an encouragement and strengthening to the enfeebled and sorrowful Timothy.

footnote 4: my

Or, that which I have committed unto Him. The apostle committed his entire being with his glorious future unto the One who was able, through His life and grace, to guard his deposit for the day of His second appearing.

footnote 5: that day

The day of Christ's second appearing.

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Boaz Leong

Manila, Philippines

Oct 22, 2009

"I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is ABLE to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."

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Chalya Princess Miri-Gazhi

Hull UK, England, United Kingdom

Dec 29, 2008

I was about 9 or 10 years old when I first heard this music sang by a sister in my church and I immediately fell in love with the hymn and now at 33, I am still moved by the lyrics and the melody of this song. It simply reminds me that God is always in control of my life and come what may - esp in this stress filled financial times of uncertainty, there is someone looking out for me!

Cheers

Chalya

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