The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
That which is done - accomplished. The results of doing are now what they shall be in the present order of things.
No new (thing) - (Hebrew, 'no new thing at all,' as Numbers 11:6.) This is not meant in a general sense; but there is no new source of happiness (the subject in question) which can be devised: the same round of petty pleasures, cares, business, study, wars, etc., being repeated over and over again (Holden). Since the old has been unsatisfactory, it is a great evil that there is nothing new. 'Man cannot escape out of the charmed circle into which he was driven by the curse (Genesis 3:1-24), be his exertions what they may (Hengstenberg). With all the progress in the healing art, the doom, "Thou shalt die" still holds good. These words are not true of the works of God, for God ever produces something new; it is only children of Adam who effect nothing new' (Luther).