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About Numbered Notation

All steps
  1. The numbers are the notes of a scale
  2. “1=C” tells you where to start
  3. Dots make a note higher or lower
  4. How long each note lasts
  5. 0 means rest
  6. Bar lines and the time signature
  7. Curves: ties and slurs
  8. The words sit under the numbers
  9. Repeat signs and 1. 2. endings
  10. Minor keys: “6=A”
  11. Put it together: a line of a hymn
  12. Check yourself
  13. Try it on a hymn

The numbers are the notes of a scale

Numbered notation (jianpu, 简谱) writes a melody as numbers instead of notes on a staff. You do not need to read music: take one small step at a time and press Play on any example to hear it while each number lights up. Sound only starts when you press Play.

Instead of notes on a staff, each note is a number from 1 to 7. They are the seven steps of the scale you already know: do re mi fa sol la ti. After 7 the scale starts again at 1.

The seven numbers with their names. Press Play and say each name as its number lights up.
Sing along: do re mi fa sol, and back down to do.

If you can sing do re mi, you can already sing every number from 1 to 7. Tap or click any number to hear just that note.

“1=C” tells you where to start

At the top left of the sheet you will see something like 1=C. It means the number 1 (do) is the note C, and every other number counts up from there. 1=G means do is G, so the whole tune sits a little higher. Nothing else changes: the same numbers make the same shape, only higher or lower.

1=C: do is C.
1=G: the same numbers, starting higher.

Not sure where C is? On a piano it is the white key just left of the two black keys. Or ignore the letter and start on any note that is comfortable for your voice: the tune only has to keep its shape. The − and + key buttons on a hymn page shift the key for you.

Dots make a note higher or lower

A dot above a number means one octave higher. A dot below means one octave lower. Two dots mean two octaves. No dot is the middle range, where most of a tune lives. The name stays the same; only the height changes.

The same number at three heights: dot below, no dot, dot above.
A tune that climbs: it starts on a low sol and ends on a high do.

How long each note lasts

Tap your foot at a steady pace: each tap is a beat. A plain number lasts one beat, so you sing a new number on every tap. Dashes, lines and dots change that.

A plain number is one beat

Four numbers, four beats: one number for each tap.

A dash holds the note longer

Each dash adds one beat. The 5 lasts two beats and the 3 lasts four.

A line underneath makes it shorter

One line is half a beat, so two underlined numbers share one beat. (Two lines are a quarter of a beat.)

A dot after makes it half as long again

A dot after a number adds half its length. The first 5 lasts a beat and a half, and the short 3 fills the rest of the second beat.

0 means rest

A 0 is silence for one beat. Keep counting and keep tapping, but do not sing. Dashes after a 0 make the silence longer, just as they hold a note longer.

Sing 1 3 5, stay quiet for one beat, then come back down. Rests light up too, so you can feel the pause.

Bar lines and the time signature

Tall lines cut the music into bars, each holding the same number of beats. The two small numbers at the start, like 4/4 or 3/4, say how many: 4/4 is four beats in every bar, 3/4 is three. The first beat of each bar is the strongest, so lean on it a little. A double line with a thick edge marks the end.

4/4: count 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4. The first beat of each bar sounds a little louder.
3/4: count 1 2 3, 1 2 3, the lilt of a waltz.

Curves: ties and slurs

A curve over numbers joins them. If it joins two of the same number, it is a tie: sing the note once and hold it for both. If it joins different numbers, it is a slur: sing them all on one syllable, gliding from one to the next.

A tie: the 5 is sung once and held across the bar line, six beats in all.
A slur: “Him” is sung on two notes, 3 then 2.

The words sit under the numbers

Each number gets one syllable, written right underneath it. A short dash after part of a word means the word carries on under the next number. If a number has nothing under it, it belongs to a curve or a dash: keep singing the syllable you are on.

Read left to right, one syllable for each number: Twin-kle, twin-kle, lit-tle star.

Repeat signs and 1. 2. endings

A bar line with two dots, :|, means go back and sing that part again, from the matching |: sign (or from the start if there is none). Sometimes the repeat has two endings. Sing ending 1. the first time; on the repeat, skip it and sing ending 2. instead.

Play it: you hear the 1. ending, the repeat, then the 2. ending. Watch the highlight jump back.

Minor keys: “6=A”

A song in a minor key, which usually sounds more serious or tender, is labeled like 6=A instead of 1=C. It means the number 6 (la) is the home note, here A. The numbers keep their usual names; the tune simply feels at home on 6 and often ends there. 6=A uses the same notes as 1=C.

It starts and ends on 6 (la), the home note. Listen to the darker colour.

Put it together: a line of a hymn

This is the first line of hymn 8, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow”, written in numbered notation. Try the slow tempo first, and sing the words as each number lights up.

1=G in 4/4. Three silent beats, then “Praise” on beat 4. The dots under 7, 6 and 5 mean those notes dip one octave lower.

Check yourself

Four quick questions, with no score and no pressure. Tap an answer to see right away why it is right or wrong. You can always try another answer.

Tap the number that is held the longest.

Tap the 5 that is one octave higher than the first 5.

What does a 0 mean?

Under 1=G, which note is the number 1?

Try it on a hymn

You opened this from a hymn that has a Numbered view, so you can try it right now.

  1. Look at the top left of the sheet: the key, such as 1=D, and the time signature, such as 3/4.
  2. Find the first number and sing it. Then follow the numbers from left to right with the words underneath, one syllable for each number. Press Play in the player to hear the recording while you follow.
  3. Letters above the numbers (C, G7) are chords for a guitarist or pianist. Ignore them while you learn the tune.
  4. To be guided, open the Learn tab and press Play. Under Display, set Learn notation to Numbered (or choose Numbered on the Lead Sheet tab first). For hymns that have numbered lines, each line of numbers scrolls into view in time with the recording while a bouncing ball follows the words; other hymns show the piano notation there. The Speed menu slows it down.

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Lord Jesus, I long in Thy presence to live

Longings For Living in the Lord’s Presence

English389
1
Lord Jesus, I long in Thy presence to live,
From morning to evening my one world Thou art;
O let not my heart be contented or rest
When loving or seeking what with Thee doth part.
Each moment, each day, throughout suff’ring and pain,
When nought in the world can give comfort or cheer,
When sighing and weeping encompasses me,
Lord, still all my sighing and wipe every tear.
2
Each time when I dream of the goodness of life,
I pray Thee, dear Lord, that Thou in it may be;
O do not allow me to choose by myself,
Nor seek any pleasure that’s other than Thee.
Each night when alone in the stillness I lie,
I pray Thee, Lord Jesus, that Thou wilt be near;
Each morning ere dawn comes, while still in my sleep,
Then whispering call me and open my ear.
3
Each time, Lord, when reading in Thy holy Word,
I pray that Thy glory may shine on each line,
That clearly I’ll see what a Savior I have
And how great salvation that Thou hast made mine.
When helpless I come, Lord, to kneel at Thy throne,
I pray Thee to hear me and grant me Thy grace;
If thru my shortcomings Thou hear not my prayer,
Withdraw not Thy presence, O hide not Thy face.
4
Each time when of heavenly blessings I think,
O let my heart long to be raptured to Thee;
My only hope here is Thy coming again,
My only joy there, Lord, Thy presence will be.
Lord, teach me each day in Thy presence to live,
From morning to evening my one world Thou art;
O let not my heart be contented or rest
When loving or seeking what with Thee doth part.

Copyright Living Stream Ministry. Used by permission.

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Un Hermano

Mar 13, 2026

THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND THE NATURE OF GOD

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Which do you prefer to have—the nature of God or the presence of God, which represents His person? Every Christian regards the presence of God as dear and precious. In Christianity there is much talk about the presence of God. We are told that the presence of God should mean everything to us and that we must do all things in God’s presence. In Christianity the believers are taught to live and walk in God’s presence, and a number of books have been written about living in the presence of God. But where can you find a book telling you to live according to the nature of God? If we have the revelation, we will prefer the nature of God to the presence of God. I may live in a certain brother’s presence, loving him and walking with him. Nevertheless, he remains a Caucasian, and I remain a Chinese who lives in the presence of a Caucasian. What does this mean? Nothing. Simply to live and walk in the presence of God without having His nature in you means very little. For thousands of years, the angels have been walking in the presence of God, but they have never satisfied Him. Only one thing can touch God’s heart—to have a people who live and walk according to His nature. For a flea to walk in your presence means nothing, but for a flea to live according to your human nature means a great deal. Thus, walking in the presence of God means little, but living in and by His nature has great significance. However, most Christians know only the presence of God; they do not know His nature.

Life-study of Hebrews
Message 68 Living according to the Nature of God
(LSM)

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Un Hermano

Mar 13, 2026

Prayer: O Lord, we thank You from our depths that we have been freed from all personal affairs and have been gathered into Your name, sitting here before You and listening to Your speaking. Speak, O Lord, for we are listening. We really long for You from within, and we know that Your word is Your very Self, Your word is Your expression, and Your word is Your reaching us. We truly regard this. We pray that You would again give us utterance, fresh utterance, instant utterance, utterance that can meet Your need today. We pray that You would cause those of us who speak to be able to speak and those of us who listen to be able to listen. O Lord, may none of us consider ourself to have already known and understood. O Lord, cause us to know that we are all like children, for we still know so little of what we ought to know. O Lord, have mercy on us and visit us. May Your Spirit of grace anoint us today, anoint this meeting, anoint every attendant, and anoint every move and action. Furthermore, O Lord, we cannot forget Your enemy. Even though You tolerate him, we still say, Lord, You must restrict him, and You must bind him. Lord, draw the boundary around us by Your prevailing blood and do not allow Your enemy to cross over one step to distract or disturb us. Do preserve us in these two to three days. Moreover, rebuke him and command him to leave us. O Lord, we desire to be free before You to enjoy Your presence. Amen.

The Organic Aspect of God's Salvation
Chapter 2 Regeneration and Shepherding
(LSM)

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Emma Sandoval Bullón

Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico

Mar 13, 2026

When I was a little girl, we used to sing this hymn at the meeting of the Lord's table, for years I forgot it, its lyrics and even its melody. A few weeks ago, in my teenage years, I rediscovered this beautiful hymn, I saw myself in it, I rarely feel so identified with something, but this hymn describes me perfectly. I'm so glad that even with our failures, sins and impurity, even when we just want to cry in the Lord's presence and even when we feel ashamed of our condition, the Lord is so sweet and merciful that we can just come to Him as we are, with boldness to the throne of grace, to enter into the sanctuary, and be able to see, touch, enjoy and even taste the Lord.

I really like that for me, the Lord Jesus is my best friend, I can tell Him everything, even when I'm disappointed with Him, or I don't understand His will, He always lets me come back to Him. I feel empty, discouraged and unsuccessful often, but I always come to Him, sometimes I just cry and don't say anything, I know He knows it. He's the friend I run to when everything is falling down. I love Him so much, but I want to love Him way more, everyday, every moment, like He loved me. Brothers and sisters, I hope you all could experience the Lord as your everything, enjoying Him always, sometimes all you need is stop doing things for Him, and start spending more time with Him, I could promise you, that you'll see Him as the living star, and will be sad anymore. May God bless you, I love you all in the Lord ♡

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Jacob

Austin, Texas, United States

Oct 16, 2024

This hymn is based on a poem written by Lady Powerscourt (Theodosia Anne Howard) titled “Lord, All My Desire is Before Thee”

Here are the original words:

“Lord, let my heart still turn to Thee, In all my hours of waking thought;

Nor let this heart e'er wish to flee, To think, or feel, where Thou art not.

In every hour of pain or woe,

When nought on earth this heart can cheer, When sighs will burst, and tears will flow, Lord, hush the sigh, and chase the tear.

In every dream of earthly bliss
Do Thou, dear Saviour, present be;
Nor let me dream of happiness
On earth, without the thought of Thee.
To my last lingering thought at night
Do Thou, Lord Jesus, still be near;

And ere the dawn of opening light, In still small accents wake mine ear.

Whene'er I read Thy sacred word, Bright on the page in glory shine;

And let me say, "This precious Lord In all His full salvation's mine."

And when before the throne I kneel,
Grant from that throne of grace my prayer;
And let each hope of heaven I feel
Burn with the thought to meet Thee there.

Thus teach me, Lord, to look to Thee, In ev'ry hour of waking thought;

Nor let me ever wish to be,

To think, or feel where Thou are not. “

This poem can be found in the book, “The Letters and Papers of Lady Powerscourt. ” You can definitely see the inspiration of the hymn in this poem, but overall it is quite different. I agree with Robin’s thought that Watchman Nee translated this poem to Chinese and provided changes to match a tune. It was probably further changed when retranslated back to English - Regardless, the message of the poem/hymn match and clearly reflect the lives these dear saints lived. I highly recommend reading Lady Powerscourt’s letters, as they have deeply impacted me and, I presume, Watchman Nee as well.

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Wakibi Ifrank

Jinja, Uganda

Jul 11, 2024

Today, I was enjoying that hymn while studying the book of galatians, but I have realized that whenever I sing that hymn, it comes true, all my morning times I wish to sing it always because it's experience it's real.

But it makes me always to pray to the Lord, for wonderful brothers who are able to live us with such experiences from the Lord like that, like the prayer of the writer of that hymn, in his book the spiritual man, he also prayed for the Lord to rise up brothers who know how to walk by the spirit.

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Robin Hodgins

Iroquois Falls, Ontario, Canada

Mar 30, 2024

As to the question of authorship in this hymn.

My brief research shows Watchman Nee as an Adaptor ( in copyright law an adaptor can be referred to as an author)

An adaptor modifies a pre-existing musical work or its musical notation. It can take different forms depending on how it's written, who it's for, and the musical genre.

The adaptation(s) done by Watchman Nee , I have not determined, but I think likely translation to Chinese, and or minor wording changes to fit the tune chosen. If anyone has knowledge of history of this hymn it would be good to post.

It is a wonderful hymn/ prayer that I enjoy often.

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Mark

Kuching, Malaysia

Jul 20, 2023

My late dad favorite song Hymn 389. We sang at his funeral service

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Sam Liu

New York City, NY, United States

Jan 14, 2022

Is 50:4 The Lord Jehovah has given me / The tongue of the instructed, / That I should know how to sustain the weary with a word. / He awakens me morning by morning; / He awakens my ear / To hear as an instructed one.

Is 50:5The Lord Jehovah has opened my ear; / And I was not rebellious, / Nor did I turn back.

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Steve

Plano, TX, United States

Oct 27, 2021

@David Wilson, this was written by Lady Powercourt. Israel in Diamond Bar cites a biography of JN Darby in an older comment. Watchman Nee may have adapted it and set it to the tune of Flow Gently Sweet Afton, I am not sure.

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David Wilson

Davis, CA, United States

Oct 27, 2021

Just curious - there is a comment below that says rather convincingly that this hymn was written by Lady Theodosia Powerscourt in approximately 1835, but the credit is given to Watchman Nee. Can anyone clarify? Regardless of who wrote it, it is a wonderful hymn and we should focus on the content and be brought into the sweet longing for fellowship with the Lord in His presence.

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