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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 what awaits me

Comfort in Trials By Trusting the Lord

English711
1
I know not what awaits me,
God kindly veils my eyes,
And o’er each step of my onward way
He makes new scenes to rise;
And every joy He sends me comes
A sweet and glad surprise.
 
Where He may lead I’ll follow,
My trust in Him repose;
And every hour in perfect peace,
I’ll sing, “He knows, He knows”;
And every hour in perfect peace,
I’ll sing, “He knows, He knows.”
2
One step I see before me,
’Tis all I need to see,
The light of heaven more brightly shines
When earth’s illusions flee;
And sweetly through the silence comes,
His loving, “Trust in Me!”
3
Oh, blissful lack of wisdom,
’Tis blessed not to know;
He holds me with His own right hand,
And will not let me go,
And lulls my troubled soul to rest
In Him who loves me so.
4
So on I go not knowing;
I would not if I might;
I’d rather walk in the dark with God
Than go alone in the light;
I’d rather walk by faith with Him
Than go alone by sight.

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Ethel Anderson

Seattle, Washington, United States

Mar 26, 2020

Mary Brainard wrote this song that will never be outdated. Beautiful words for all time, even now as we wait in quarinteen to see where the situation with the coronavirus goes. Another of many reminders that our Lord God knows everything ahead of time and He's got the whole world in His hands.

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Earlene

Ashland, OR, United States

Mar 20, 2020

Beautiful hymn and music!!

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Glory Jung

Cypress, CA, United States

Nov 7, 2019

He knows, He knows.. that's faith..

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Isaac Estrada

Austin, Texas, United States

Mar 25, 2018

Lord! Keep me following You throughout all the days of my life! Thank You Lord, You know!!

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Ana Lara

Tolland, Connecticut, United States

Feb 18, 2018

Mary G Brainard was born June 19, 1837 in New London, Connecticut and died November 30th, 1905.

She was the daughter of William Fowler Brainard, a New London lawyer whose younger brother was the poet John Gardiner Calkins Brainard.

Her grandfather was a judge in the Connecticut Supreme Court- a descendant of Lion Gardiner- an early English settler and soldier who founded the first English settlement in what became New York. Gardiner’s Island remains the possession of the family and the largest privately known island in the U. S.

Mary’s poem “Not Knowing “ first appeared in “The Congregational” in March of 1869. In 1870 it was set to music by Phillip Paul Bliss. He also rearranged some of the words. The original hymn has never been found.

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Ken Harding

Marsden Park, NSW, Australia

Aug 12, 2017

My mother used to sing this song to us 70 years ago and I've not heard it since though I've often quoted the last verse. Today my wife and I were discussing it upon hearing of the death of a friend so I googled the words I remembered and what a lovely surprise and blessing...Thank you!

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Marieth

Houston, Texas, United States

Apr 18, 2017

He knows, He knows.

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Mariegel

Leduc, AB, Canada

Apr 1, 2016

Where He may lead I'll follow;
My trust in Him repose
And every hour in perfect peace;
I will sing "He knows, He knows"
Amen...Lord I trust and believe in You.

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Steve Miller

Detroit, MI, United States

Apr 4, 2014

Mr. Bliss lost his life in the terrible railroad wreck at Ashtabula, Ohio. His trunk, however, reached Chicago safely, as it had gone before by another train. In his trunk was discovered this hymn.

Mr. Bliss had rearranged the words of the poem to some extent, and had composed the tune. Sentence by sentence, the words are full of pathetic [archaic use meaning "sorrowful"] interest in connection with the author’s sudden death so soon afterward. - Story of Gospel Hymns by Ira Sankey

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Julie Dunn

Rhode Island, United States

Apr 16, 2012

I was diagnosised with breast cancer in August of 2011 and have had to make numerous decisions that were very difficult. Many times throughout the day (morning, noon and even 2 AM) I would come to this song and my heart, mind and soul would be refocused!! Praise God for the comfort He gives us in times of trials!!

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