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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.

Reading the Bible

Study of the Word Feeding on the Word

New Songs213
 
Reading the Bible—
I love the Word of God!
Reading the Bible—
I love the Word of God!
1
Every verse reveals Yourself to me,
Every line conveys reality.
When I pray the words that You breathed out
You become so real to me.
2
As I read, I pray, as I pray, I read,
Mingling both as one spontaneously.
You respond within with words so sweet,
I repeat these words to Thee.
3
I’m a newborn babe—it’s the milk I need,
Not the knowledge of the dead teaching.
When I eat Your word, it becomes to me
My heart’s joy and rejoicing.
4
Sweeter than honey, precious more than gold;
It will not be void, but as the rain and snow,
It will do Your will—bear the life divine,
Bearing fruit a hundred-fold.
5
When my heart is like a rock so cold,
It’s Your word so strong that hammers stone,
That the grain of life may come to me
And supply me inwardly.
6
It’s my food, my drink, and my life supply;
I love to eat it every day and night.
I just turn and open up to Him,
And the rivers flow right in.

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Mary R.

Lucban, Quezon Province, Philippines

Sep 3, 2025

Stanza 4

Isa. 55:11, footnote 2, "sent"

God has sent forth His word to water His people (v. 10), to sanctify them (John 17:17; Eph. 5:26), to transform them (2 Cor. 3:18), and to conform them to His image (Rom. 8:29) that the Body of Christ may be built up.

Indeed! God's Word will not return to Him in vain, but it will accomplish what He delights in (Isa. 55:11). Let's feast on the Word He has sent forth!

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Noel Raganas

Taguig City, NCR, Philippines

Jun 24, 2021

Yes, if we love the Lord Jesus, we need to read the Bible.

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Abigail

Dec 10, 2020

Jeremiah 23

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Chun Wang

Richardson, Texas, United States

Jul 20, 2020

Wonderful song! This is a great reminder for us of many of the wonderful functions of the Bible as the Word of God!

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Bob Shalom

Kampala, Uganda

Sep 11, 2019

This hymn is one of my favorite one because of its simplicity and how it portrays the word of God especially in terms of grain that gives life. how true whenever we turn to the His word we experience the light, the love and the beauty of our Lord Jesus. I just love to pray-read my bible-- that has helped greatly in the journey of life. PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS WORD!

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Zion

Durham, NC, United States

Apr 20, 2018

Durham saints love the Word of God!

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Sarah Carter

Australia

Oct 12, 2016

Awesome song, simple but spot on!

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Rosita Enriquez

United States

Aug 8, 2013

"When my heart is like a rock so cold,
It’s Your word so strong that hammers stone,
That the grain of life may come to me
And supply me inwardly."

Bethany shared this stanza with the chorus this morning during the sisters reading of "The Knowledge of Life, Ch 10" O, how important is that our hear stays soft!!! Lord give us a soft heart so that the Spirit with our spirit may flow so freely out!!!! And by the spirit spreading in our heart He will make our heart happy!!!!

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Joanna Smathers

Baton Rouge, La, United States

Sep 6, 2011

Allison mentioned this song in our sisters' meeting this morning. Yes, Lord thank You for Your strong Word that rolls away and hammers stone.

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Ryan

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines

Mar 31, 2010

What a wonderful song. O Lord Jesus! It touches my heart especially my spirit. Lord, thank You for Your Word.....

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