The spouse had hitherto been at a loss for her Beloved, but having diligently sought him, and inflamed both her own and others affections with love to him by her just commendations, now at last she meets with a gracious answer from God, directing her where to find him, which also comes very seasonably, not only for her own relief and comfort, but also for the benefit of others, who inquired after him. The garden seems to signify the church catholic, and the gardens, as it follows here, as also the beds, may note the particular assemblies of the faithful, in which Christ affordeth his presence and his blessing. Beds of spices; in which the gifts and graces of God's Spirit, which are fitly compared to spices or aromatical flowers, do appear and grow. To feed; to refresh and delight himself, or to gather the flowers and fruits of it, as men use to do in their gardens. To gather lilies; which may note either,
1. Particular believers, whom Christ gathereth to himself in his church, who are compared to lilies, Song of Solomon 2:2. Or,
2. The prayers and praises tendered to him by his people in the public congregations, and all their gracious dispositions and actions.