Skip to content
hymnal.net
hymnal.net
My Songs

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.

Conquering now and still to conquer

Spiritual Warfare By Faithfulness

English878
1
Conquering now and still to conquer,
Rideth a King in His might,
Leading the host of all the faithful
Into the midst of the fight;
See them with courage advancing,
Clad in their brilliant array,
Shouting the name of their Leader,
Hear them exultingly say:
 
Not to the strong is the battle,
Not to the swift is the race;
Yet to the true and the faithful
Vict’ry is promised through grace.
2
Conquering now and still to conquer,
Who is this wonderful King?
Whence are the armies which He leadeth
While of His glory they sing?
He is our Lord and Redeemer,
Savior and Monarch divine;
They are the stars that forever
Bright in His kingdom will shine.
3
Conquering now and still to conquer,
Jesus, Thou Ruler of all,
Thrones and their scepters all shall perish,
Crowns and their splendor shall fall,
Yet shall the armies Thou leadest
Faithful and true to the last,
Find in Thy kingdom eternal
Rest, when their warfare is past.

Delete Comment

Delete this comment? This cannot be undone.
Jim Smith

Mansfield, Ohio, United States

Dec 9, 2025

“Not to the strong is the battle not to the swift is the race”.

This hymn says 2 things to me.

Firstly we must see the obvious that the Christian’s life is a race and this race is a battle. If we wish to run the race to win the prize, we must be faithful and true. The real battle is just prayer.

Secondly, we must see we can’t win. We’re a failure at our best. The victory is by faith in Christ Jesus. He is the conquering King. He is that GRACE we must experience. I love this because it takes the load off of me and puts it on Christ. When I can finally admit I’m a failure, that’s when Christ can rule and be the victory in our life. That is true grace!

Read more
Levi

São Paulo, Brazil

Jul 31, 2025

In Brazil, they adapted this melody with different lyrics.
With faith, draw near to the great Master
Christ Jesus, the Lord
His heavenly gifts, His virtue
He will pour out for love
Do not doubt, for from Christ
Comes what you need
He can do everything for you
Beyond what you imagine.
The raging sea and the storm
Christ Jesus calmed
The blind saw, the lame walked, He cleansed many
The dead came back to life, were delivered to their own
Christ, the eternal Word, came by the grace of God.
If you knock, He will open to you
Whatever you ask, He will give
If you seek the Master
You will be found.

Read more
Racheal Sitwala

Livingstone, Southern, Zambia

Jan 28, 2024

My wonderful marching song as a victor💪. saved by amazing Grace. How I long for that triumphant entry in Zion ..

Read more
James Bouro

Honiara, Solomon Islands

Aug 15, 2021

A favourite hymn and a powerful description of Gods army. They fought not with assault weapons and armery but the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.

Conquering their evil foes with the Love and Grace of the Almighty.

Read more
Anonymous

United States

Sep 4, 2019

Who is this wonderful King? Whence are the armies which He lead while of His glory they sing?

Read more
Sarah Anne Rolofs

Ochtrup, Munster, Germany

May 18, 2019

Thanks very much for this hymn. I love it so much. Reminds me of the baptist church in Athlone, Cape Town, South Africa. When I was around nine and ten years, in my imagination I saw these soldiers marching with banners flying. LOL. Now 76 years old and I still have this feeling of heads held high and matching into battle. God bless. May we take back the land taken by the enemy. Hallelujah! Amen.

Read more
EUNICE

Nigeria

Apr 12, 2015

This hymn is the Holy Spirit's response to my question for today. I am satisfied singing through the stanzas.

Read more