Skip to content
hymnal.net
hymnal.net
My Songs

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.

Open this guide as its own page

Download limit reached

Lord, Thy Name is called Jesus

Praise of the Lord His Name

English68
1
Lord, Thy Name is callèd Jesus,
Wonderful is this dear Name;
Thou wast brought forth of the virgin,
And the Son of man became.
Thou art our Jehovah-Savior,
Saving us from all our sins;
When as Savior we receive Thee,
Life divine in us begins.
2
Thou as “Christ” art also titled,
Title of Thy ministry;
Thou art truly God’s anointed,
Even from eternity.
Thou, O Lord, art God’s Messiah;
God appointed Thee in love,
That Thou might fulfill His purpose
And to all His glory prove.
3
Thou art also called “Emmanuel”;
“God with us” Thou cam’st to be;
God in grace is wholly mingled
With our own humanity.
God in flesh is manifested,
Full of grace and truth therein;
We have seen in Thee God’s glory,
And in faith partake of Him.
4
How we treasure all Thy names, Lord,
How much they to us unfold;
All their worth and all their sweetness
We in love will ever hold.
Precious Savior, we adore Thee,
Worship unto Thee we bring;
Our Emmanuel we exalt Thee,
And Thy praise will ever sing.

Copyright Living Stream Ministry. Used by permission.

Delete Comment

Delete this comment? This cannot be undone.
Cc

United Kingdom

Mar 15, 2026

Lord Jesus - your name above all other names ..

Read more
Vincent Morales

Palm Desert, California, United States

Nov 30, 2025

Amen for the name above every name..."OH LORD JESUS!
"OH LORD JESUS!
AMEN!
-

Read more
Un Hermano

Aug 24, 2025

A. In the Mixed Expressions of the Sentiment of God’s Lovers and Seekers, Christ Being Revealed as the Centrality and Universality of God’s Economy

In the mixed expressions of the sentiment of God’s lovers and seekers, Christ is revealed as the centrality and universality of God’s economy. David was surely a lover of God and a seeker of God just as Peter was in the New Testament. Peter made mistakes, but he loved the Lord and sought after the Lord. This is why the Lord came to him and asked him, “Simon... do you love Me? ” ( John 21:17 ). Christ would not ask someone this question if he did not love Him. For Christ to ask Peter if he loved Him is precious. David was also a lover and a seeker of God. In the mixed expressions of his sentiment, Christ is revealed as the centrality and universality of God’s economy.

1. Having Been Anointed to Be God’s Messiah

Psalm 2 reveals that Christ has been anointed to be God’s Messiah, resurrected to be the firstborn Son of God, and installed to be God’s King; He has also been given the nations as His inheritance and the earth as His possession for His kingdom.

2. Bringing God into Man in His Incarnation and Man into God in His Resurrection

Psalm 8 reveals that as the embodiment of God, Christ has brought God into man in His incarnation and man into God in His resurrection, thus bringing heaven to the earth and joining the earth to heaven to be the excellent One in all the earth.

3. As the God-man, Mingled with Divinity and Humanity

Psalm 16 reveals that as the God-man, mingled with divinity and humanity, Christ took God as His portion, being obedient to God unto death, resurrecting into glory, ascending to His heavenly attainments and obtainments, and sitting at the right hand of God for the accomplishment of God’s eternal economy concerning the church, the Body of Christ.

4. Dying an All-inclusive Vicarious Death and Entering into the Church-producing Resurrection

Psalms 22—24 reveal that Christ died an all-inclusive vicarious death and entered into the church-producing resurrection. In resurrection He became the Shepherd of God’s flock, leading the sheep of God to participate in the church as the house of God in this age, consummating in the New Jerusalem in the coming age and in the eternal age; and He will be God’s triumphant King of glory to reign in God’s eternal kingdom.

5. Coming to Do the Will of God to Fulfill and Replace All the Old Testament Sacrifices and Offerings

Psalm 40:6-8 reveals that Christ came to do the will of God to fulfill and replace all the Old Testament sacrifices and offerings according to what is written in the Old Testament concerning Him.

Life-study of the Psalms

Message 18 (LSM)

Read more
John W

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom

Mar 3, 2024

Our Immanuel we exalt thee! And they praise will ever sing!

Read more
Maureen

London, Greater London, United Kingdom

Jul 11, 2023

As I was getting ready for work this hymn came to me but couldn't remember the hymn so I just hummed it. After coming home and eating the tune came to me again so when looking for it. The Lord reminded me ot was hymn 68 I came here to check and yes this was the hymn I was humming hallelujah! Lord Thy Name is called Jesus, Wonderful is this dear Name. Amen

Read more
Christopher Burk

Seattle, Washington, United States

Aug 7, 2022

Lord we treasure all Thy names! Amen!

Read more
Raphael Venter

Israel

May 3, 2018

Praise the Lord!!! hallelujah we can regain His love to our spirit!!! Jesus is the One who deserves the praise, and He is the One who can do anything!!!! I heard this song when we were in Anaheim for training center when I was about 6 to 5 years old!! Praise the God of the universe!!!!

Read more
Kwame Barima

United Kingdom

Nov 14, 2010

Oh previous Saviour, we adore Thee. Oh Lord, how we treasure all Thy dear names. Thou are called Jesus, Thou art titled Christ; God's anointed, Thou art also called Emmanuel; God with us, Thou art the Prince of Peace; One Who reconciles us to God, Thou art our Redeemer; In You is our salvation. We worship You Lord and will forever sing thy praise. Amen.

Read more