When the builders started to lay the foundation of the Temple, the priests
in their robes took their places with trumpets in their hands, and the Levites
of the clan of Asaph stood there with cymbals. They praised the LORD according
to the instructions handed down from the time of King David. They sang the
LORD's praises, repeating the refrain: "The LORD is good, and his love for
Israel is eternal." Everyone shouted with all their might, praising the LORD,
because the work on the foundation of the Temple had been started. Many of the
older priests, Levites, and heads of clans had seen the first Temple, and as
they watched the foundation of this Temple being laid, they cried and wailed.
But the others who were there shouted for joy. No one could distinguish between
the joyful shouts and the crying, because the noise they made was so loud that
it could be heard for miles. (Ezra 3:10-13)

After all the cycles of rebellion, repentance, and restoration in previous books, the eviction notice served in 2 Kings 21: 11-15 was finally executed. But when Cyrus became emperor, the Lord told him to let His people go - and unlike Pharoah, Cyrus complied. But this exodus was not to complete freedom, as it had been the first time. Even when the Israelites got back home, they were still subject to Cyrus' rule. On the whole, they were happy about their current circumstances - but the above passage makes me wonder if they ever "got it" that they had brought this on themselves. They are finally rebuilding the temple, and they younger generation, who had been without one for their whole lives, could not have been happier. But the older folks couldn't find it in themselves to rejoice that God was being merciful to them. Oh, no. They cried and wailed because the new temple would not equal the old in terms of beauty and glory. If in a rage you throw a vase on the floor and shatter it, then later regret your outburst and glue the pieces together, you shouldn't be surprised that it is not in brand-new condition. Matthew Henry's take on all this:

Yet it was their infirmity to mingle those tears with the common joys and so to
cast a damp upon them. They despised the day of small things, and were
unthankful for the good they enjoyed, because it was not so much as their
ancestors had, though it was much more than they deserved. In the harmony of
public joys, let not us be jarring strings. It was an aggravation of the
discouragement they hereby gave to the people that they were priests and
Levites, who should have known and taught others how to be duly affected under
various providences, and not to let the remembrance of former afflictions drown
the sense of present mercies. This mixture of sorrow and joy here is a
representation of this world.

I think it comes down to learning to be grateful for God's dicipline. We are not required to enjoy it, but if we're wise we'll be grateful and thankful.