Exodus 20:19

They said unto Moses.

This, it appears from Deuteronomy 5:23, was done through the medium of the elders and heads of the congregation, who came from the people to Moses, while he remained in his place. For he says in the passage just cited, that "they came near unto him," when they spake these words; which implies that they were at some distance before.-- Bush.

Speak thou with us.

The solemnities of the divine presence beget the feelings of reverential awe, under the influence of which they retire to. respectful distance. They have no more any doubt of the divine commission of Moses; and they entreat, by their elders that God would speak to them through Moses, and not directly to them. They are filled with such terror that they fear "lest they die."