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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.

Through all the changing scenes of life

Comfort in Trials By Trusting the Lord

English714
1
Through all the changing scenes of life,
In trouble and in joy,
The praises of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ.
2
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
With me exalt His name;
When in distress to Him I called,
He to my rescue came.
3
The hosts of God encamp around
The dwellings of the just;
Deliverance He affords to all
Who on His succor trust.
4
Oh, make but trial of His love,
Experience will decide
How blest they are, and only they,
Who in His truth confide.
5
Fear Him, ye saints, and you will then
Have nothing else to fear;
Make you His service your delight,
Your wants shall be His care.

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Gillian Whelan

Auckland, New Zealand

Oct 3, 2026

I feel just as Brian Ardill does. A magnificent hymn, worded as I could not express, full of gratitude for God's faithful presence throughout life.

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Steven Ibler Babone

Kampala, Uganda

Jun 30, 2026

This is an inspiration hymn normally sung in a local dialect in my Church in Uganda. I like it so much.

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Rev.Cliff Emele Charles

São Paulo, Brazil

Jun 21, 2026

Very inspiring hymn that I first sang in 1957 as a chorister. To God be all the Glory.

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Brian Ardill

Cullomptio, Devon, United Kingdom

Apr 18, 2026

So moved by this hymn based on psalm 34. I would like to have it at my funeral as it sums up my whole life of the goodness of the Lord in it.

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Nigel

Feb 1, 2026

The Spiritual Baptist faith of the West Indies (Trinidad & Tobago, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada) often sing various hymns from the Ancient and Modern Hymnal book. This is a hymn often sung during services.

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Shikaorsor Ademu-John

Franklin Park, NJ, United States

Nov 24, 2025

A true inspiration of God’s faithfulness and his continuous presence through all the changing scenes of life. It reminds me of Moses' wrestle to affirm that God will be there on the journey even though God was always there from before.

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Osei Akoto

Chicago, IL, United States

Jul 24, 2025

This hymn has been inspirational 👏 🙌 🙏 👌 ❤️ to me since I 1st heard in 1989.

Glory be to God.

Amen.

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Adams Kebiru Isaiah

Ipaja, Lagos, Nigeria

Jun 1, 2025

I have decided to make this hymn my wake up alarm ring tone. It calms my soul and soothes my spirit.

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Nana

London, United Kingdom

May 28, 2025

My favourite hymn of all time. 😍

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Comfort Omowumi Ojo

Fct, Abuja, Nigeria

May 4, 2025

A great hymn of God's love to me. It lift up my spirit for assurance that I'm not alone that Jesus is my shepherd always with me.

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