Exodus 33:15-17

And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence - i:e., I should infinitely rather spend a wandering life in the wilderness, in the enjoyment of thy presence and favour, than be settled in Canaan without it, God's own words are eagerly caught hold of, and His promise made the subject of a prayer, in the full and just persuasion that the Israelites could appear "a chosen generations, a peculiar people," in the eyes of contemporary nations and of future ages, only by unmistakeable evidences of the divine presence and favour accompanying them and prospering their way. Moses throughout this intercessory scene displayed the disinterested zeal of a patriotic leader, no less than the humble but earnest piety of an eminent saint, and the prayer of faith prevailed.