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.

I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship

Preaching of the Gospel Myriads Won

English934
1
I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship,
Should set His love upon the sons of men,
Or why, as Shepherd, He should seek the wand’rers,
To bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that He was born of Mary,
When Bethl’hem’s manger was His only home,
And that He lived at Nazareth and labored,
And so the Savior, Savior of the world, is come.
2
I cannot tell how silently He suffered,
As with His peace He graced this place of tears,
Or how His heart upon the Cross was broken,
The crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, He heals the broken-hearted,
And stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,
And lifts the burden from the heavy laden,
For yet the Savior, Savior of the world, is here.
3
I cannot tell how He will win the nations,
How He will claim His earthly heritage,
How satisfy the needs and aspirations
Of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,
And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,
And some glad day His sun shall shine in splendor
When He the Savior, Savior of the world, is known.
4
I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
When, at His bidding, every storm is stilled,
Or who can say how great the jubilation
When all the hearts of men with love are filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
And myriad, myriad human voices sing,
And earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer:
At last the Savior, Savior of the world, is King.

Delete Comment

Delete this comment? This cannot be undone.

Lorraine & Ken Holiga

Clarence Town, NSW, Australia

Jun 12, 2026

We love the Saviour of the world and this beautiful hymn gives Him praise and glory and His anointing shines through the wonderful lyrics

Read more
Jean Wyatt

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom

Aug 10, 2025

One of my favourite Christian songs because it expresses beautifully that tension between faith, wonder and the limitation. of our faith and the hope that in the end God will save ALL

Read more
Berenis

San Bernardino, California, United States

Jun 7, 2025

Beautiful, I love it so much amen

Read more
Ruth Eleanor

Apr 15, 2025

Holy Week 2025

An amazing hymn, the words of which paint a picture of humble birth, to terrible suffering with a final yet everlasting truth of the awesome glorious King of King's.

Saviour and Redeemer for all who believe in Him.

Read more
Awhina Joanna

Levin, New Zealand

Jan 11, 2025

I love this song

Read more
Ellen Musco

Easley, SC, United States

Jul 28, 2024

A church I used to attend played this beautiful hymn. I accompanied along side the piano. It is a blessing to meditate on the words while practicing almost as much as hearing the congregation sing!

Read more
Paul Taylor

Melton Mowbray

Jul 20, 2024

I chose this hymn to accompany my talk on Study for our Cursillo weekend. The melody is haunting and the lyrics are so powerful. We love to sing in our churches even though getting an organist can be a challenge. But since everyone knows Danny Boy, we can manage unaccompanied.

Read more
Susan J Downing

United States

Jul 17, 2024

I have loved this hymn so much ever since I first heard it at the 1976 Urbana missionary conference in Illinois. They used the Inter varsity hymnal there and there is an EXCELLENT piano arrangement of this hymn in the IVP 70's hymnal. It sounds beautiful as a piano solo too. The singers need to sing the melody since it's not really a typical harmonized hymn. I play it on a regular basis for my own enjoyment but also introduced it to my home church. Almost everyone knows Londonderry Air (Danny Boy) so it's a very singable folkish tune to such a meaningful set of lyrics. I will be accompanying this hymn on Saturday at a women's' luncheon. Our activity is to have a hymn sing after lunch. Cannot wait. We need to KEEP the hymns alive, even if it means arranging a special gathering for hymn singing. As someone mentioned previously, many churches are hardly using hymns anymore. Thankfully our Anglican church values them! (but also does some modern songs for the youth. It's a good balance. ) On my Sunday rotation, I usually do MORE hymns than the other style. As a musician and pianist, I usually prefer the hymns, musically. (But I do see the place for some modern music as well. ) I believe one can still find the IVP hymnal online. Let me know if you want more info. about that hymnal.

Read more
Ronald

San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines

May 23, 2024

The message of this hymn is so powerful. I'm sad because hymns are no longer being sung in most churches

Read more
Jack Petrash

Irving, TX, United States

Apr 23, 2024

A very powerful hymn with deeply touching lyrics showing our precious Savior's process to become King. Even after enjoying this hymn for several days I find it hard not to weep while singing it.

Read more