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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.

What a Friend we have in Jesus

Prayer Telling the Lord

English789
1
What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

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Piwe

Manzini, Swaziland

Sep 20, 2020

Ooh yes ... there is no friend like Jesus. Healing song indeed.

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Ikrumale Monday Gideon

Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria

Sep 15, 2020

This hymn always reminds me of a reliable friend call Jesus

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Adelaida Onde

Korat, Nakhonratchasima, Thailand

Sep 14, 2020

A song of assurance from God as a friend specially on these times of pandemic

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Sybil Momoh

London, United Kingdom

Sep 12, 2020

This hymn means such a lot to me. I always like to repeat the words. It's very comforting anytime I'm feeling low..

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Mary

FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

Sep 10, 2020

It’s a healing song

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Timipre Roland

Warri, Delta, Nigeria

Sep 7, 2020

I love this song so much.

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Ana Lara

United States

Aug 26, 2020

The composer of this music, Charles C. Converse, was a well educated, successful Christian, whose talents ranged from law to professional music. Under the pen name of Karl Reden, he wrote numerous scholarly articles on varied subjects. Although he was an excellent musician and composer with many of his works performed by leading American orchestras and choirs of his day, his life is best remembered for this simple music so well suited to the text “What a Friend We Have in Jesus. ”

Ira D. Sankey discovered the hymn in 1875, just in time to include it in his well-known collection, “Sankey’s Gospel Hymns Number One. ” Later Sankey wrote, “The last hymn which went into the book became the first in favor. ”

The biography of the author of this hymn (Joseph Scriven) is posted in an earlier post.

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Bob Hammond

Newnan, GS, United States

Aug 23, 2020

Love these hymns from my childhood they bring great peace and comfort.

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Beth Kershaw

San Francisco, CA, United States

Aug 14, 2020

Sometimes these hymns from childhood come to mind at the right time. What a blessing! I need to remember who Jesus is and He is the answer, not the government, politicians, flawed humans. Especially during this fractured time in our beautiful (yet flawed country). We ALL need The Savior!!! He’s our hope ✝️

Period and Amen🙏

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Diane

Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa

Aug 12, 2020

I love to sing this, it gives me such comfort in times of trouble.

Praise the Blessed Name of the Lord.

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