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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.

Abba, Father, we approach Thee

Worship of the Father His Redemption

English43
1
“Abba, Father,” we approach Thee
In our Savior’s precious name.
We, Thy children, here assembling,
Now the promised blessing claim.
From our guilt His blood has washed us,
’Tis through Him our souls draw nigh,
And Thy Spirit too has taught us
“Abba, Father,” thus to cry.
2
Once as prodigals we wandered,
In our folly, far from Thee;
But Thy grace, o’er sin abounding,
Rescued us from misery.
Clothed in garments of salvation
At Thy table is our place;
We rejoice, and Thou rejoicest,
In the riches of Thy grace.
3
Thou the prodigal hast pardoned,
“Kissed us” with a Father’s love;
“Killed the fatted calf,” and made us
Fit Thy purpose to approve.
“It is meet,” we hear Thee saying,
“We should merry be and glad;
I have found My once-lost children,
Now they live who once were dead.”
4
“Abba, Father,” we adore Thee,
While the hosts in heaven above
E’en in us now learn the wonders
Of Thy wisdom, grace, and love.
Soon before Thy throne assembled,
All Thy children shall proclaim
Abba’s love shown in redemption,
And how full is Abba’s name!

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Cody Enderli

San Marcos, TX, United States

Jul 29, 2018

Oh Lord Abba Father! Thank You for Your grace and wisdom and mercy!

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John T. C. Kan

Chicago, IL, United States

Jul 23, 2018

We worship the Father with this hymn often at our Lord's Table. It is a gospel to all men and women who are Fatherless. May all men and women return to our Father God as the prodigal son returned to his father as in Luke 15!

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唐

Beijing

Jun 24, 2018

阿爸父,您的恩典何其无限!赞美阿爸父直到永远永远!

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Ezra Spencer

OKC, Oklahoma, United States

Jun 3, 2018

This song is fire. 🔥

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Donald J. Trump

China

Feb 11, 2018

This song 1
“Abba, Father, ” we approach Thee
In our Savior’s precious name.
We, Thy children, here assembling,
Now the promised blessing claim.
From our guilt His blood has washed us,
’Tis through Him our souls draw nigh,
And Thy Spirit too has taught us
“Abba, Father, ” thus to cry.
2
Once as prodigals we wandered,
In our folly, far from Thee;
But Thy grace, o’er sin abounding,
Rescued us from misery.
Clothed in garments of salvation
At Thy table is our place;
We rejoice, and Thou rejoicest,
In the riches of Thy grace.
3
Thou the prodigal hast pardoned,
“Kissed us” with a Father’s love;
“Killed the fatted calf, ” and made us
Fit Thy purpose to approve.
“It is meet, ” we hear Thee saying,
“We should merry be and glad;
I have found My once-lost children,
Now they live who once were dead. ”
4
“Abba, Father, ” we adore Thee,
While the hosts in heaven above
E’en in us now learn the wonders
Of Thy wisdom, grace, and love.
Soon before Thy throne assembled,
All Thy children shall proclaim
Abba’s love shown in redemption,
And how full is Abba’s name!
Is good

Read more
Ken Zhang

Newington, CT, United States

Jan 7, 2018

This entire song is wonderful!
“Abba, Father, ” we approach Thee
In our Savior’s precious name.
We, Thy children, here assembling,
Now the promised blessing claim.
From our guilt His blood has washed us,
’Tis through Him our souls draw nigh,
And Thy Spirit too has taught us
“Abba, Father, ” thus to cry.
2
Once as prodigals we wandered,
In our folly, far from Thee;
But Thy grace, o’er sin abounding,
Rescued us from misery.
Clothed in garments of salvation
At Thy table is our place;
We rejoice, and Thou rejoicest,
In the riches of Thy grace.
3
Thou the prodigal hast pardoned,
“Kissed us” with a Father’s love;
“Killed the fatted calf, ” and made us
Fit Thy purpose to approve.
“It is meet, ” we hear Thee saying,
“We should merry be and glad;
I have found My once-lost children,
Now they live who once were dead. ”
4
“Abba, Father, ” we adore Thee,
While the hosts in heaven above
E’en in us now learn the wonders
Of Thy wisdom, grace, and love.
Soon before Thy throne assembled,
All Thy children shall proclaim
Abba’s love shown in redemption,
And how full is Abba’s name!

Read more
Lydia Perez

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Jul 23, 2017

Clothed in garments of salvation! At Thy table is our place! :)

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George Wright

Salt Lake W, Utah, United States

May 18, 2017

“It is meet,” we hear Thee saying,
“We should merry be and glad;
I have found My once-lost children,
Now they live who once were dead.”
Luke 15: 23-24.

The Son telling us of our Father's loving and excited heart toward us, who were dead in our offenses and sins, we - who have returned to Him alive together with Christ!

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Ria Spee

Markham, Ontario, Canada

Feb 19, 2017

I will always remember singing this hymn at the first Lord's table with my husband the day after we got married. I especially remember the line, "At Thy table is our place." After the events of the previous day, I could not help myself, but to stand up at the Lord's table and declare, "I don't know where I was yesterday, but I can confidently say today, At Thy table is our place!" I felt so at home at the Lord's table!

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Bob

Houston, Texas, United States

Jan 22, 2017

“Abba, Father,” we approach Thee
In our Savior’s precious name.
We, Thy children, here assembling,
Now the promised blessing claim.
From our guilt His blood has washed us,
’Tis through Him our souls draw nigh,
And Thy Spirit too has taught us
“Abba, Father,” thus to cry.

Read more