"Pleasant Pictures" refers to the standards or figure heads of the ships. The prophet has, in the previous verses of this section, emphasized the fact that humiliation would be the consequence of pride. All that was high and exalted in its own estimation would be debased and humiliated. (vv. 12. Comp. v. 17.) He enumerates: The cedars of Lebanon, the oaks of Bashan, the mountains and hills, the nations and people, the towers and walls and, finally, the ships of the sea, even the largest, the Tarshish ships, with their proud standards of figure heads. All shall be made low, and the Lord alone shall be exalted. (v. 17)