The overwhelming experience of divine revelation left the Israelites in deep shock and awe, prompting them to ask Moses to serve as a mediator. God responds to this request not with criticism, but with profound approval, understanding their human limitations and recognizing their pure intentions. He notes that He heard the voice behind their words, a distinction that means He perceived the tone, the emotional distress, and the sincerity behind their plea. God recognized that their request did not stem from a desire to escape their spiritual responsibilities, but rather from a genuine fear of death and a profound recognition of His greatness [העמק דבר, רש"ר הירש]. Furthermore, God heard them directly from the bottom of the mountain, without requiring a mediator to relay their words [אלשיך].
In response, God declares that they did a good thing and spoke well [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ], bringing Him deep satisfaction [אדרת אליהו]. The primary approach among commentators is that God approved of their request for essential and practical reasons. Practically, it is impossible for an entire public to constantly maintain the extreme level of purity required to speak with God face-to-face [בכור שור]. Additionally, by making this request, the Israelites formally accepted the authority of the prophet and committed to obeying him [אור החיים]. Even though the people might appear inconsistent—first wanting to hear God directly and then asking Moses to speak for Him—God testifies that both requests originated from pure, positive motives [אלשיך]. They were right to ask this regarding all aspects of the Torah, whether written, oral, or temporary instructions [העמק דבר].
A deeper layer of commentary explains that during the revelation, the Israelites were elevated to the level of angels, completely detached from their physical nature and stripped of their evil inclination. However, the ultimate purpose of creation is for human beings to possess free will and an internal struggle, consciously choosing good to earn a reward. Had they remained in an angelic state, their righteous actions would have been forced and automatic. Therefore, when the Israelites asked to return to their natural human condition, God was pleased because it allowed the true purpose of creation to be fulfilled [מלבי"ם]. Furthermore, their request did not just reflect good intentions; it actively drew down spiritual abundance and goodness to the world, making the service of the Creator as sweet as milk and honey [שפתי כהן].
Yet, alongside this spiritual peak where their good and evil inclinations united to serve God, there was a profound missed opportunity. When God expressed His desire that they would always retain such a devoted heart, the Israelites—or Moses—should have asked Him to grant them the strength and divine assistance to maintain this elevated state forever. The people failed to ask because they mistakenly believed the evil inclination was only meant to test them, not realizing it was given for their ultimate benefit to increase their reward. Due to this misunderstanding, they are considered somewhat ungrateful. Had Moses insisted and asked God to permanently secure this devoted heart within them, future crises and severe sins, such as the rebellion of the spies and the dispute of Korah, would have been entirely prevented [אור החיים, אלשיך].