Midrash Tehillim, specifically Midrash Tehillim 75, grapples with this very idea, drawing upon verses from Psalms and Genesis to paint a compelling picture.

The midrash opens with the line, "I said to the fools, 'Do not be foolish.'" Rabbi Berachiah, citing Rabbi Levi, connects this to Psalm 104:31: "May the glory of the Lord endure forever." But here's the thing: When God created the world, Genesis 1:31 tells us, "And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good." The Midrash cleverly suggests that "saw" implies rejoicing, drawing a parallel to Exodus 4:14, where it says, "And he will see you and rejoice in his heart."

But there’s a catch. According to the Midrash, once humanity sinned, God lifted His Shechinah – His Divine Presence – on high. Now, He, the God of the world, no longer rejoices in His world. The text points out that Psalm 104:31 speaks of God rejoicing in His works, but crucially, it's not happening now. It’s a future hope, a promise yet to be fulfilled. Meanwhile, the wicked seem to be the ones enjoying themselves. It seems almost…unfair.

Hence, the repeated warning: "Therefore, I said to the fools, 'Do not be foolish.'"

The sages then illustrate this with the tragic story of Elisheva bat Amminadav. Elisheva seemed to have it all. : Moses was her brother-in-law. Aaron was her husband. Her brother, Nahshon, was a prince. And her two sons? They were deputy high priests! Four sources of joy, all wrapped up in one person.

Yet, her story takes a devastating turn. Remember the story of Nadav and Avihu? Her sons entered the Sanctuary to offer incense, and as Leviticus 10:1-2 recounts, "And fire came forth from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died." Tragedy struck at the very heart of her joy.

The Midrash uses this stark contrast – Elisheva’s initial blessings followed by immense loss – to highlight its central point: the righteous often don't find lasting joy in this world, while the wicked seemingly do.

So, what are we supposed to take away from this? Is it a message of despair? I don't think so. It's more like a call to perspective. It's a reminder that true joy, the kind that endures, isn't always found in worldly success or fleeting pleasures. It's a joy connected to the Divine, a joy that transcends the ups and downs of life.

And perhaps, just perhaps, by striving to live righteously, we can help bring about the time when God, too, will once again rejoice in His world. It’s a future we can all work towards, a future where the glory of the Lord truly endures forever, and joy is not the province of the wicked alone.