Jesper Swedberg: Encyclopedia II - Jesper Swedberg - Working for the Church and Crown

Jesper Swedberg - Working for the Church and Crown

In 1686 Swedberg was entrusted with the task of creating a Book of Hymns, and in 1692 he was trusted as the person in charge of a new Swedish Bible translation as well. The first edition ever of a Swedish book of hymns was printed in 1694. This is today known as Swedberg's Book of Hymns. As it happens, very shortly after the publication, some influential people decided the book was heretical, claiming it focused too much on good deeds and not enough on faith. The whole edition was revoked. Some copies were however sent to Swedish colonies overseas, such as to New Sweden, Delaware. Maybe they thought it could do little damage to those people.

In 1695 a new edition was published. Of the circa 500 hymns, 30 bore Swedberg's name, either as the author or as the translator. Several of these are still in the modern Swedish Book of Hymns.

While doing this work, he lived in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. This was also the birthplace of most of his children, of whom the most famous today is Emanuel Swedenborg, who was born in 1688 as the second son.

The Bible translation turned out to be a futile labour, as churchmen said they did not have time to check the translation, claiming sarcastically that they were too busy looking over a certain Book of Hymns. It was decided to print an older translation instead, which was done in 1703. This edition, known as Charles XII's Bible, is still renowned in Sweden today.

After having finished this tedious work, Swedberg was appointed professor of theology at the University of Uppsala in 1695. Shortly thereafter, in 1702, he was also appointed bishop of Skara.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Working for the Church and Crown", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki