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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.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord

Assurance and Joy of Salvation A Firm Foundation

English339
1
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
2
“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.”
3
“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.”
4
“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”
5
“E’en down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And then, when grey hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.”
6
“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake!”

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Michael Lee Hansinger

Pembroke Pines, Florida, United States

May 4, 2025

not a prosperity gospel but speaks of a life lived with promise through many trials the dross burned to refine us as gold.

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Dennis Timothy Crowe Jr

Bogart, Georgia, United States

May 3, 2025

Thank you very much for the ability to find the hymns that are so important in my life you know all the lives of Christians all around the world thank you. this particular song that I sang this morning from your hymnal strengthen me my prayer. Is it the dismissing you have that helps many others will continue on through to eternity in Jesus I pray amen.

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Darrel Hicks

Saint Charles, MO, United States

Apr 11, 2025

I used to listen to J. Vernon Magee every day at lunch time as he taught “Thru the Bible” and often sang along with the intro music of this hymn. I was alone in my truck and that’s a good thing because I “couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket. ” With gusto I would sing “How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord is laid for your faith in His excellent Word. ” Magee would often say, “When this old world is destroyed by fire there’s just 2 things that will survive…God’s Word and people. ”

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Joann Diller

Elgin, Texas, United States

Mar 3, 2025

This hymn has helped me so many times. In the fourth stanza it says, “The flame shall not hurt thee, I only design thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine” This reminds me of Daniel’s three companions walking in the fiery furnace; the only thing that was burned were the ropes that had them bound. When we yield to the Lord’s refining work, we get free from so many things that have us bound.

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Judith Mosley

Philadelphia, PA, United States

Feb 18, 2025

This hymn is one I learned as a child. It may be my favorite. Now as a senior, I love to read the words as they minister to my heart.

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Jeff Moore

Goodlettsville, TN, United States

Feb 1, 2025

I love this hymn, but I thought they were only three versus. I’m glad to hear there’s more.

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Diane

Wrexhsm, United Kingdom

Jan 26, 2025

Yes.. a wonderful hymn for when we are going through rough times.

R T Kendall quotes from it on page 301 in his book

A man after God’s own heart.

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Margaret Buchanan Coles

Helensburgh, United Kingdom

Oct 29, 2024

We had a Godly pastor when I was growing up in South Africa but all I can recall of his long ministry is his repeated quotation of the last verse of this hymn. He would say: 'never, no never, no never forsake'. Five negatives! That verse embedded itself in my brain and time and again I would draw comfort from each line which has proved so true. I'm nearly 80 now and can say with increasing confidence that in His Word, God has indeed laid a firm foundation for our walk of faithfulness in His ever more majestic company.

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Lucy

Lexington, SC, United States

Oct 27, 2024

Often referred to as "The Great Hymn of Virginia", it is the traditional hymn for my family thru the generations. (Yes, we are nati e Virginians. )

There is not situation or condition for which it's words do not heal.

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Ian Purdie

Sarasota, Florida, United States

Sep 3, 2024

This hymn is definitely a long time favourite of mine. The only tune I ever sing it to, is Adeste Fideles, or O come all ye faithful....!

This tune with the words, are so inseparable, that any tune other than Adeste Fideles, is not worthy of the words, "How firm Foundation, ye saints of the Lord".

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