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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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Alake Femi

Lagos, Nigeria

Apr 14, 2019

Glory....

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Favorite ZB

Monrovia, Montserrado, Liberia

Apr 14, 2019

I sang it this morning with lyrics and give it all to Him that is able to do exceedingly above more than I can ask or think; according to His power that worketh in me.

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Stephanie Guthrie

Marietta, Georgia, United States

Apr 13, 2019

That was a wonderful story Perlinun Wright.

I have never know all the words to this hymn, but I am so blessed I finally do.

What a glorious story and what a friend Jesus is.

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Perlinun Patricia Wright

Henrico, VA, United States Minor Outlying Islands

Apr 10, 2019

I have heard this song hundreds of times over my life, but there was a group of young people who came to my church, they sang this song and the words became so clear to me, for the first time in a long time I again understood what it meant to take everything to the Lord in prayer. Now I sing this song as an opening to my prayers. I refuse to forfeit my peace or needlessly bare any more pain when I can take it to the Lord in prayer. This song encourages me to ask, believe, trust and receive because God loved us so much that He gave us His only Son Jesus to be the friend to take all our needs, wants, and cares to Him in prayer. Praise to God!!!

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Ezechinyere Colos

Portharcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Apr 9, 2019

Good one brother. I love this, very inspiring.

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Russ

Costa Mesa, CA, United States

Apr 9, 2019

grew up in church singing this song, it stills draws me close to our Lord and Savior, tears of love and adoration for Jesus.

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Ekene

Abuja, FCT, Nigeria

Apr 8, 2019

I am so relieved by this hymn. It's so assuring and encouraging...

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Bisi

Lagos, Nigeria

Apr 7, 2019

Greatly inspired by this hymn. This afternoon l was woken up with it.

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Favour

Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Apr 5, 2019

Thanks for the hymn, I really love singing it.

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Michael

Spring Hill, FL, United States

Apr 4, 2019

This morning as I was making coffee, this song came to me. I noticed as soon as I began humming it, I had a feeling of peace and joy. I realized I did not know the words and did a Google search. This was the first link I came to. After reading the words I noticed the comments. I started reading them and was struck by the words of praise and hope, but, then I realized they were from all different people all over the world! So many comments were just like what I was feeling, I felt my heart filled with praise and Thanksgiving to the Lord, Jesus Christ and the desire to pray for these people. We don't even know each other, but He does, and has given us His Spirit, whereby we ALL cry, ABBA, Father.

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