תהלים, פרק מ״ח, פסוק י״ג

A majestic invitation is extended to those looking upon Jerusalem, urging them to walk around the city and witness its breathtaking glory. The identity of those being called and the era in which this takes place is a matter of interpretation. Some view this as Jerusalem calling out to the nations of the world [רד״ק, אבן עזרא], while others see it as a welcoming directive to guests and pilgrims arriving at the holy city [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. A different perspective suggests the call is directed specifically at the builders of Jerusalem [רש״י]. The timeframe for this event ranges from the historical reign of King David to the future Messianic era [אבן עזרא].

The invitation involves a specific kind of movement, using a double emphasis to describe walking around the city. Since an ordinary walk might imply merely a partial tour, a stricter requirement is added to demand a complete, unbroken circle around all sides of the city [מלבי״ם]. Another approach suggests that the double emphasis calls for two separate loops around Jerusalem. This was meant to highlight a miracle from the First Temple era, during which the physical space of the city supernaturally expanded to hold far more than its natural boundaries would allow [אלשיך]. Ultimately, the primary approach among commentators is that the goal of this walk is to carefully observe the beautiful construction of Zion and take in its total splendor [רד״ק, מצודת דוד].

Following the walk, there is a clear instruction to count the city's towers [רש״י, מנחת שי]. The purpose behind tallying these structures is understood in a few different ways. It may simply be to realize the sheer number of towers [מצודת דוד], or it might serve as a poetic exaggeration to emphasize the city's immense greatness [מאירי]. For those who believe the initial call was directed at the city's builders, the counting is a practical step so they know exactly how many towers they are required to build [רש״י]. A contrasting view ties the counting directly to God's protection. Following a devastating storm that ruined the fortresses and towers of other nations, the act of counting serves as proof that not a single building or tower in Zion was missing or destroyed, showcasing His watchfulness over the city [מלבי״ם].