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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.

The love of God is greater far

Worship of the Father His Love

English28
1
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell.
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest hell.
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled
And pardoned from his sin.
 
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
2
When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall;
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call;
God’s love, so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
3
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Words & Music © 1923, Ren. 1951 by Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL 60188.

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Janice

CA, United States

Mar 23, 2017

Frederick Lehman was my Great Grandfather. It warms my heart to hear all the heart felt comments. Thank you!

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Cinder (Cindey) Bennett

Brooklyn, New York, United States

Mar 19, 2017

This song is a blessing to me. When one has an encounter with true love in Jesus it will be hard to ever hate any one. Jesus is love. The old hymns are true and real. Thank you for the lyrics. God bless you.

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Eileen Erb

Appomattox, Virginia, United States

Mar 3, 2017

As a teen I remember singing this song in my church in the choir. I am now 65 and I understand the meaning more than ever. The third verse is especially meaningful! How vast is the love of our God! Who could ever know or understand such great love!!

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Daisy Hobson

Breinigsville, PA, United States

Feb 2, 2017

Our Womens' Bible Study Fellowship group sang this yesterday. We have hundreds gathering every week from different ages and backgrounds. Many did not know this song. I thank you for your website as I am circulating this song to my discussion group. It fit perfectly with the text yesterday from John 13: Jesus loved them to the end! To hear the music with the lyrics is a special bonus.

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Laverne B.

Temple Hills, Maryland, United States

Dec 18, 2016

Thank you for posting the lyrics and music to timeless hymns. Meaningful words like these you cannot find in today's music. I am excited about seeing the one we sing about very soon. Let's stay connected to Him so we can see Him as He is.

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Ronda Hansen

Ashland, Kentucky, United States

Oct 20, 2016

The Love of God is so very pure if only we could love the sinner as much as Christ did. If we did we would not stop tell others about Jesus. Help us to stand and love people like you do, Let us today tell someone about you Lord.

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Margaret But

Barcelona, Spain

Sep 26, 2016

Living immersed in the love of God is the key to the Christian life. (John 15:9).

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Janet Ugbabi

Onike, Lagos, Nigeria

Sep 9, 2016

The love of God is inexpressible. THANK YOU GOD FOR LOVING ME AND MY FAMILY.

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Beverly Wright

Newburg, New York, United States

Sep 3, 2016

The love of Yahweh is very rich and more than tongue can express.

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Wanda Broussard

Missouri City, Texas, United States

Aug 9, 2016

Thank You JESUS for loving me even when I have failed in my walk. This song helps us to know that we are not perfect. But GOD'S Love Is!

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