Since the Lord had already twice promised to go with them (33:14, 17)this renewed request seems to show a lack of faith. It may also be that God’s presence had driven home to Moses how absolutely holy God is and how very different he is from this stubborn and rebellious people.
Here, Moses took his request a step further and asked God to travel with the people and make them his own treasured possession (see 19:5–6). Moses asked for the complete restoration of the relationship.