My Only Plea

O theme with love and mercy fraught,
Salvation full and free,
That Christ upon the cross has wrought
For me, for me:

Refrain

This shall be my only plea,
This shall be my only plea,
That Christ was crucified for me,
For me, for me.

When dreadful sin my soul assails,
And death shall compass me,
That Christ o’er sin and death prevails
For me, for me:

Refrain

And when before the throne I stand,
And judgment set shall be,
That Christ fulfilled the law’s command
For me, for me:

Refrain

Author: Fanny Crosby

Year: 1887

Fanny Crosby (Frances Jane van Alstyne) is the most likely author; the style, refrain structure, and emphasis on personal salvation through the cross are characteristic of her work. The text appears in several late-19th-century hymnals under her name (sometimes with the first line 'O theme with love and mercy fraught'). No strong alternate attributions found.