Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 29:31-35

"And Jehovah saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb. But Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben. For she said, Because Jehovah hath looked upon my affliction. For now my husband will love me. And she conceived again, and bare a son: and said, Because Jehovah hath heard that I am hated, he hath therefore given me this [son] also. And she called his name Simeon. And she conceived again, and bare a son. And said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have borne him three sons. Therefore was his name called Levi. And she conceived again, and bare a son. And she said, This time will I praise Jehovah. Therefore she called his name Judah. And she left off bearing." — Genesis 29:31-35 (ASV)

The names Leah gave her children expressed her respect and regard for both God and her husband. Reuben, meaning "See a son," reflected her thought, Now will my husband love me; and Levi, meaning "joined," her expectation, Now will my husband be joined unto me.

Mutual affection is both the duty and comfort of the married relationship, and spouses should strive to please each other (1 Corinthians 7:33–34). She thankfully acknowledged God's kind providence in hearing her.

Whatever supports and comforts us in afflictions, or leads to our deliverance from them, God must be acknowledged in it. Her fourth son she called Judah, meaning "praise," saying, Now will I praise the Lord. This was he from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came. Whatever is the cause of our rejoicing should also be the cause of our thanksgiving.

Fresh blessings should stir us to praise God for former blessings; now I will praise the Lord more and better than I have done. All our praises must center in Christ, both as their subject and as their Mediator. He descended according to the flesh from him whose name was "Praise," and He is our praise.

Is Christ formed in my heart? Now I will praise the Lord.