23 Or “tumbleweed.” The Hebrew noun גַּלְגַּל (galgal) refers to a “wheel” or, metaphorically, to a whirling wind (see Ps 77:18). If taken in the latter sense here, one could understand the term as a metonymical reference to dust blown by a whirlwind (cf. “like whirling dust”). However, II גַּלְגַּל understands the noun as a homonym referring to a “dead thistle” here and in Isa 17:13. The parallel line, which refers to קַשׁ (qash, “chaff”), favors this interpretation.
24 Heb “before.”
25 The imagery of fire and flames suggests unrelenting, destructive judgment.
26 The two imperfect verbal forms in v. 15 express the psalmist’s wish or prayer.

In other versions

O my God, make them like whirling dust,

like chaff before the wind.

As fire consumes the forest,

as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,

so may you pursue them with your tempest

and terrify them with your hurricane!

Make them like tumbleweed, my God,

like chaff before the wind.

As fire consumes the forest

or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,

so pursue them with your tempest

and terrify them with your storm.

Make them like tumbleweed, my God,

like straw before the wind.

As fire burns a forest,

as a flame blazes through mountains,

so pursue them with your tempest

and terrify them with your storm.

O my God, scatter them like tumbleweed,

like chaff before the wind!

As a fire burns a forest

and as a flame sets mountains ablaze,

chase them with your fierce storm;

terrify them with your tempest.

O my God, make them like the tumbleweed,

like the chaff before wind.

As fire burns a forest,

and as a flame sets afire mountains,

so pursue them with your tempest

and terrify them with your storm.

O my God, make them like a wheel;

As the stubble before the wind.

As the fire burneth a wood,

And as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;

So persecute them with thy tempest,

And make them afraid with thy storm.

Public Domain